Edge of Sleep: Does Markiplier’s Prime Debut live up to the Hype?
‘Edge of Sleep’ brings Markiplier’s hit podcast to life on Amazon Prime as of Oct. 15, 2024. Discover how to stream this dark thriller and if it’s worth your time this Fall.
YouTuber Markiplier’s long-awaited thriller series ‘Edge of Sleep’ has taken the popular 2019 podcast of the same name to the big screen, releasing the full series on Amazon Prime on Oct. 15, 2024. This six-episode series takes the original story and brings it to life with colorful visuals and unsettling imagery that listeners could, previously, only imagine.
The release has come as an early surprise to fans, who were not expecting the show to premiere until Oct. 18. However, around 10 p.m. MST, Markiplier posted a new video to his YouTube Channel titled, ‘The Plan has CHANGED!!’, declaring that the show had been released just then and finally announcing the streaming service it was debuting on: Amazon Prime.
What’s the Premise
Edge of Sleep follows Dave, a night shift security guard in a coastal town who learns one morning that everyone who fell asleep the previous night became trapped in a fatal nightmare. Dave and a small group of survivors band together in what is now a post-apocalyptic world, trying their best to stay awake and avoid the same fate. The group must survive the perils of paranoia and sleep deprivation — things that Dave has struggled with since a young age – in hopes of discovering the reason for the global nightmare pandemic they find themselves in before their minds or bodies give out.
How to Watch the Series
The entire season of Edge of Sleep is available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, making it easy for subscribers to binge the series, especially since it’s not particularly long either. The show has a total of six episodes, each about 20 minutes long, making the season about the length of a standard feature film. If you’re not already subscribed, Amazon offers a free trial period, which gives new users access to the platform’s content, including this chilling adaptation.
Why Fans Are Excited
Markiplier is undeniably one of the internet’s most beloved creators, amassing a massive following over the years. His fans have long admired his projects, so it’s no surprise they were thrilled to see Edge of Sleep adapted into a high-quality TV series. The anticipation has only grown, as the show was first announced in 2021 — marking over three years of development and building excitement for its release.
Must Watch or Mixed Bag?
Does that mean the show is any good then? Edge of Sleep is certainly a treat for fans of Markiplier and those who enjoyed the original podcast. While it may not fully capture the gripping nature of the audio version, it still offers enough intrigue and suspense to keep you watching. The performances are solid and captivating, and the visuals are stunning. The biggest drawback of the series is that there’s not enough of it, likely due to a tight budget.
Podcast listeners may notice that some key elements were left out, and the show feels like it wanted to explore more but simply didn’t have the time or resources. However, despite these limitations, Markiplier and his team made the most of the time they had, delivering a well-paced and engaging adaptation.
For fans of horror, especially psychological horror, it’s worth adding to your Halloween binge list. Just don’t expect it to be as tightly wound as other psychological horror hits like The Haunting of Hill House.
Matthew has been with the Review since 2023. When he isn’t studying Software Engineering he can be found either listening to music, writing, watching football or playing video games.