Finding Joy (2026)
Director: Valeri Bates
Cast: Valeri Bates, Jessi Burkette, Davis Lee DeRock Jr., Alina Dunn, Kurt Hanover
Did you know? The film’s sleep paralysis sequences were inspired by director Joy G. Morales’ own real-life struggles with the condition, and she cast a movement coach to choreograph the contorted, shadowy figures in Roni’s visions.
Why Watch: "Finding Joy" isn't just a film about trauma—it’s a visually haunting, deeply human thriller that turns sleep paralysis into a gripping mystery. If you crave raw performances and a story that burrows into your subconscious, Roni Gingrich’s journey from buried pain to artistic awakening is an unmissable, cathartic experience. Watch it for the stunning visual storytelling and a resolution that lingers long after the credits roll.
Roni Gingrich, a survivor of PTSD and a rising artist, faces haunting sleep paralysis and recurring nightmares as hidden wounds from her childhood begin to surface. Determined to reclaim her story, she embarks on a gripping journey to uncover the buried truths of her past.