The Black Sleep

  • 1956
  • NR
  • 82m
movieMx RATING
6.1/1046
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: The Black Sleep Review

Last updated: January 25, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 25, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Black Sleep (1956) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Black Sleep features a noteworthy lineup led by Basil Rathbone . Supported by the likes of Herbert Rudley and Patricia Blair , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Black Sleep (1956) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Black Sleep stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Black Sleep

Quick Plot Summary: The Black Sleep is a Horror, Science Fiction film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Black Sleep

Ending Breakdown: The Black Sleep concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Black Sleep reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Black Sleep?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere

Box Office Collection: The Black Sleep

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $225.0K
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

The Black Sleep Budget

The estimated production budget for The Black Sleep is $225.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The Black Sleep

All Cast & Crew →
Basil Rathbone
Basil RathboneSir Joel Cadman
Herbert Rudley
Herbert RudleyDr. Gordon Ramsay
Patricia Blair
Patricia BlairLaurie Munroe
Akim Tamiroff
Akim TamiroffOdo the Gypsy
Lon Chaney Jr.
Lon Chaney Jr.Dr. Munroe, aka Mungo
George Sawaya
George SawayaSailor-Subject
Tor Johnson
Tor JohnsonMr. Curry
Sally Yarnell
Sally YarnellFemale Subject
Peter Gordon
Peter GordonSgt. Steele
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Where to Watch The Black Sleep Online?

Streaming Hub

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The Black Sleep Parents Guide & Age Rating

1956 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Black Sleep age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Black Sleep is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Black Sleep is 82 minutes (1h 22m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Black Sleep is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1956 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Black Sleep. Rating: 6.1/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Black Sleep worth watching?

The Black Sleep is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Black Sleep parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Black Sleep identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Black Sleep?

The total duration of The Black Sleep is 82 minutes, which is approximately 1h 22m long.

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How The Black Sleep Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Black Sleep

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.1
The Black Sleep
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