Plot: Tells the story of five Soviet test subjects exposed to a sleep-inhibiting stimulant resulting in them becoming violent, zombie-like creatures addicted to the gas.
Outcome: All characters except one scientist die.
Initial Publication: August 10, 2010, by an anonymous user "OrangeSoda"
Origins and Popularity
Originated on the Creepypasta Wiki website.
Gained popularity quickly, being shared widely across the internet.
Described as one of the most impactful urban legends of the Internet Age.
Often mistaken for a true story.
Reception and Criticism
Josh Millican (Dread Central): Called it one of the most shocking urban legends.
Debate: Significant discussion about its authenticity, with many articles debunking it.
Image Association: Commonly shared with an image of a grotesque figure, actually a Halloween prop called "Spazm."
Literary Criticism
Tosha R. Taylor: Discussed in the context of political anxieties and digital culture.
Sonali Srivastav & Shikha Rai: Compared it to the 2018 miniseries "Ghoul," noting inspiration from the story.
Adaptations
2015 Novel: A novel was published but is currently out-of-print.
2019 Play:Subject UH1317 - When Science Traces A Deadly Turn is based on the story.
2018 Film Production: Psychological thriller began production, directed by John Farrelly, released in November 2022.
2019 Book: Jeremy Bates published The Sleep Experiment novel.
Other Film Adaptations:
The Soviet Sleep Experiment starring Chris Kattan.
Filmed in Lakeville, Minnesota in 2018.
See Also
Randy Gardner sleep deprivation experiment
Sleep deprivation
References
Articles and books mentioned relate to the origins, reception, and adaptations of the Russian Sleep Experiment.
External Links
Links to the original creepypasta, adaptations, and further media related to the Russian Sleep Experiment.