Sleep dealer is above all an interesting film. It is a truism that the best science fiction is usually that which tells a story about people, rather than whatever new gadget or idea forces it into a genre (sometimes rightfully) looked down upon as little better f tits and lazers.
While Sleep Dealer treads ground that has been seen before in films like Blade Runner(1982) and The Matrix(1999) it would be unfair to compare it to either. What sleep dealer has and the above do not, are normal people. There are no Hard Boiled Deckards or Messianic Neos here, just people trying to get by, and maybe make thier world a little more bearable. As a novice director, Alex Rivera is one to watch in the future. While the Sleep Dealer is long on interesting imagery, it comes up a bit short on confidence in showing it. With a surer hand on his next feature he could be a big name in his chosen corner of the film world