Drama Cult Classic

An artist haunted by nightmares blurs the line between past lives and present fears.

LIVING NIGHTMARE

It all began with a nightmare too terrifying to ignore ~ impossible to forget.

1982 · 1h 29m · R · Drama / Horror / Mystery · IMDB TMDB

An artist is plagued by nightmares of a love triangle and murder. A psychic says the dream figure is his brother, a "troubled soul" from an ancient past life. Nearly born as his twin but miscarried, this past life rival now breaks through in nightmares in attempt to repeat history.

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Quick Answer

What is Living Nightmare about?

Living Nightmare is a 1982 American drama, horror, and mystery film directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman about an artist tormented by recurring nightmares tied to a psychic past and a lost twin.

Programmer's Pick

Past lives, psychic guidance, and artistic angst collide here—Living Nightmare plays the long game with paranoia and metaphysics. If you get the chills from the idea that your doppelgänger just won’t quit—even across centuries—this is your next obsession.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Living Nightmare sets its stage with Michael, an artist whose life is turned upside down by relentless, increasingly terrifying nightmares. These visions become more than fleeting dreams—they begin to bleed into his waking hours, steadily eroding his grasp on reality. As Michael's fear escalates, so do the changes in his personality, suggesting something deeply unnatural at work. The nightmares hint at a mysterious connection to a love triangle and murder, with a psychic advising that the haunting presence is Michael's twin brother, a soul left behind in a past life. The film weaves elements of psychological horror and New Age mysticism for viewers who like their chills with a side of metaphysical intrigue.

Details & Specs

Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman
Release: 1982
Runtime: 1h 29m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Also Known As: Living Nightmare, J'ai Vécu Deux Fois, Original title: Echoes

Cast & Crew

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Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman

RA Richard Alfieri Michael Durant

Gale Sondergaard Mrs. Edmunds

Ruth Roman Mrs. Durant

Nathalie Nell Christine

Mercedes McCambridge Lillian Gerben

Mike Kellin Sid Berman

John Spencer Stephen RK Robin Karfo Sheila

Leonard Crofoot Danny LL Leib Lensky Backstage Doorman RN Robert Neal Marshall Dancing Gladiator

Joe Zaloom Truck Driver

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Why Cult

Past-Life Mysticism

The film explores the unnerving idea of ancient rivalries repeating through reincarnation and psychic visions.

Artist in Distress

Michael’s creative life unravels as nightmares threaten to consume both his art and sanity.

New Age Horror

Nightmares, psychics, and reincarnation make for a chilling blend of supernatural and psychological terror.

Brooding Family Secrets

A lost twin and unresolved family history add depth to the film’s psychological tension.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Recurring nightmares

Threat

Vengeful past life twin

Effect

Erodes Michael’s sanity and distorts reality

Setting

Michael's waking and dreaming worlds

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Living Nightmare? +

Living Nightmare was directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman.

How long is Living Nightmare? +

Living Nightmare has a runtime of 89 minutes.

What genre is Living Nightmare? +

Living Nightmare is a blend of drama, horror, and mystery.

Where can I watch Living Nightmare? +

You can watch Living Nightmare on SassyFlix.

How does Michael's nightmare connect to his twin? +

Michael's recurring nightmare is revealed by a psychic to be linked to his brother—a troubled soul who was nearly born as his twin but was miscarried, now seeking to relive their past-life rivalry through Michael's dreams.