Sleepwalker (2026): Release Date, Plot, Cast & Why Hayden Panettiere’s New Psychological Thriller Is About to Shake Audiences

Nightmares don’t always wait for you to fall asleep. Sometimes they follow you into the daylight — and sometimes they walk right beside you.

Sleepwalker, the new psychological thriller written and directed by Brandon Auman, is ready to jolt audiences awake when it hits theaters and VOD on January 9, 2026.With Hayden Panettiere leading a powerhouse cast, this eerie, atmospheric descent into trauma and hallucination is shaping up to be one of the most spine-chilling films of early 2026.

If you love psychological thrillers that blur the line between dreams and reality — think Black Swan, The Babadook, Smile, or Hereditary — then Sleepwalker is already calling your name.

Sleepwalker (2026) is a psychological thriller starring Hayden Panettiere, directed and written by Brandon Auman. Releasing January 9, 2026 in theaters and on VOD, the film follows an artist haunted by traumatic sleepwalking episodes after a devastating loss. Featuring Beverly D’Angelo, Justin Chatwin, Mischa Barton, and Lori Tan Chinn, Sleepwalker is distributed by Brainstorm Media and produced by Verdi Productions and Appian Way Productions.

🔥 Hayden Panettiere’s Big Return to Psychological Horror

After standout performances in Scream VI and Nashville, Hayden Panettiere takes on one of the most demanding roles of her career.

As Sarah, she balances vulnerability with volatility — a woman who is:

• grieving

• unraveling

• terrified of herself

• and desperate to hold onto sanity

It’s the kind of role that wins awards in the psychological thriller space. And from early buzz, Hayden is delivering something raw, intense, and haunting.

🩸 The Premise: Where Reality Ends and Nightmares Begin

The film explores the dangerous intersection of sleepwalking and trauma.

Sarah’s episodes aren't random — they carry clues about:

• her daughter’s final moments

• the truth buried beneath the accident

• her husband’s violent past

• shadows she has tried to forget

• memories she cannot outrun

As the visions intensify, Sarah starts losing time.

Doors open.

Objects move.

Paintings appearthat she doesn’t remember creating.

And she begins to suspect that something — or someone — is following her through the night.

Is it supernatural? Is it psychological? Or is it guilt manifesting in the darkest form possible?

Sleepwalker doesn’t give answers easily — and that’s the point.

⭐ The Cast: A Strong Ensemble Supporting the Descent

Hayden Panettiere as Sarah

An artist on the edge of collapse.

Beverly D’Angelo as Gloria

A striking presence, offering grounding and dread in equal measure.

Justin Chatwin as Michael

Playing a key figure whose connection to Sarah deepens the mystery.

Mischa Barton as Joelle

Suspicious, unsettling, and unpredictable.

Lori Tan Chinn as Bai Zhao

A character who may know more about Sarah’s condition than she initially reveals.

Kea Ho as Alexis

A crucial presence in Sarah’s unraveling psychological journey.

Eric Lutes as Dr. Henson

The doctor who tries to explain Sarah’s sleepwalking — but may not have the full picture.

This cast is stacked with recognizable faces, each bringing a unique energy to the thriller.

🧩 Who’s Behind the Film: Brandon Auman’s Haunting Vision

Brandon Auman, known for his writing and producing work in genre storytelling, makes his psychological thriller directorial debut here — and early buzz suggests he’s crafted a sharp, suffocating atmosphere drenched in paranoia.

His direction focuses on:

• tight, close-quarters tension

• dreamlike transitions

• disorienting sound design

• artistic symbolism

• surreal perspectives that reflect Sarah’s fractured mind

Think of it as a painting of madness — expressive, dark, and unforgettable.

🎬 Production & Distribution

Produced by:

• Verdi Productions

• Appian Way Productions (Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company)

• Chad A. Verdi

• Michelle Verdi

• Jennifer Davisson

• Paul Luba

• Phillip Watson

Distributed by:

Brainstorm Media for North America

This combination — indie roots, strong producers, and Auman’s creative direction — sets the film up as a prestige psychological thriller rather than a conventional horror release.

📅 Release Date

January 9, 2026

Releasing theatrically and on VOD simultaneously.

This is a strategic move — psychological thrillers perform extremely well on streaming while still pulling a dedicated theatrical audience.

🧠 Themes Viewers Will Connect With

Sleepwalker taps into topics that resonate internationally:

• trauma

• anxiety

• dissociation

• the terror of losing control

• motherhood and loss

• the fine line between imagination and reality

It’s emotional horror — the kind that crawls under your skin because it feels eerily close to real-life experiences.

🎞️ Tone & Style: What Kind of Thriller Is Sleepwalker?

Expect a film that is:

• slow-burn but intense

• visually symbolic

• claustrophobic

• psychological, not supernatural

• deeply character-driven

• disturbing without cheap shocks

• stylish in lighting and composition

• emotionally heavy

Think:🖤 Black Swan🖤 The Babadook🖤 Relic🖤 Run Rabbit Run

Sleepwalker sits in that exact territory — elegant horror with emotional weight.

🎇 Final Verdict: Sleepwalker Might Be 2026’s First Big Thriller Hit

With a gripping premise, an emotionally loaded performance from Hayden Panettiere, and Brandon Auman’s stylish direction, Sleepwalker is set to open 2026 with a haunting punch.

This is the kind of thriller that:

• sticks in conversation

• plays well on social media

• lands strongly on streaming

• resonates with fans of atmospheric, intelligent horror

If you’re ready for a dark, dream-soaked psychological descent, January 9 should already be circled on your calendar.