The Lifetime network, once synonymous with heartfelt dramas aimed at women, has carved a new niche in recent years: the suspense-thriller. While romance and feel-good stories now flourish on channels like Hallmark, Lifetime delivers a steady stream of suburban horror with outrageously enticing titles. A prime example of this genre evolution is Stalked By My Doctor, a 2015 film that spawned a franchise and cemented Eric Roberts as the king of deliciously deranged villains. His portrayal of Dr. Albert Beck, a heart surgeon with a disturbing obsession for his teenage patients, was nothing short of iconic.
Lifetime Movie Poster: Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare featuring Eric Roberts as Dr. Beck with a sinister gaze.
The success of Stalked By My Doctor was undeniable, leading to two sequels: Stalked By My Doctor: The Return and Stalked By My Doctor: Patient’s Revenge, each featuring Roberts in the chilling titular role. In 2019, Lifetime expanded this universe further with Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker’s Nightmare, proving that some franchises, like golden geese, are worth nurturing.
Promotional image for Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare with the tagline "Some patients are truly special…" against a dark background.
Sleepwalking into Danger: The Plot Unfolds
Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker’s Nightmare delves into the world of somnambulism, or sleepwalking, introducing us to Michelle (Emilie Ullerup), a woman in her thirties whose sleepwalking episode disrupts a wedding in a rather dramatic fashion – a kiss with the groom. This embarrassing incident goes viral, prompting her boss to suggest a leave of absence and professional help. This is where our favorite villain, Dr. Albert Beck (Eric Roberts), resurfaces.
Having evaded authorities, Beck is now working at a diner in the Southwest, biding his time. Fate intervenes when he encounters and murders a sleep study expert en route to a new position in New Mexico. Seizing the opportunity, Beck assumes the doctor’s identity and heads to the New Mexico Sleep Study Center (NMSSC).
Felissa Rose as Dr. Newman in Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare, pictured in a lab coat in a medical setting.
At NMSSC, now Dr. Tanner, Beck meets Dr. Newman (played by horror icon Felissa Rose of Sleepaway Camp fame!). His first patient is none other than Michelle, the sleepwalking bride-to-be. Recognizing a prime opportunity, Beck diagnoses Michelle with “sexsomnia,” a condition involving sexual activity during sleep, further fueling his twisted desires.
Eric Roberts as Dr. Beck/Dr. Tanner in Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare, smiling creepily at a patient.
Eric Roberts: The Dual Personalities of Derangement
Dr. Beck’s descent into madness is amplified by the introduction of an imaginary alter ego, “Laid Back Beck.” This Hawaiian shirt-clad, cocktail-sipping persona provides both comedic relief and a disturbing glimpse into Beck’s fractured psyche. The dueling Roberts performances are a highlight, adding a layer of campy brilliance to the already heightened thriller.
Eric Roberts portraying both Dr. Beck and his "Laid Back Beck" alter ego in Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare, showcasing the character's split personality.
Roberts masterfully portrays Beck’s unsettling obsession, lurking outside Michelle’s house, a predator patiently waiting. However, the narrative takes another turn when Beck discovers Michelle’s niece, Katie (Angeline Appel), who also suffers from a sleep disorder. This development escalates Beck’s fixation, aligning with his overarching goal from the Stalked By My Doctor series: to manipulate a young woman into falling in love with him.
Angeline Appel as Katie and Eric Roberts as Dr. Beck in Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare, depicting a tense doctor-patient interaction.
Suspicion and Stakes Rise
Michelle’s initial trust in Dr. Beck begins to erode as she observes his methods with Katie. Dr. Newman, too, grows suspicious, starting her own investigation. In a Stalked By My Doctor movie, questioning Dr. Beck’s motives is a dangerous game. True to form, those who pry too deeply often meet unfortunate accidents.
Eric Roberts in Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare, delivering an intense and dramatic performance as the disturbed Dr. Beck.
Roberts’ Unhinged Performance: The Movie’s True Draw
Eric Roberts’ performance is the undeniable heart of Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker’s Nightmare. Whether in blockbusters like The Expendables, B-movie gems like Sharktopus, or the Stalked By My Doctor franchise, Roberts commits fully to every role. He elevates what could be schlocky material into something genuinely watchable, even darkly humorous. His Dr. Beck is a delightful caricature of villainy, teetering on comical yet undeniably menacing. In lesser hands, this Lifetime movie could easily fall flat, but Roberts transforms it into a campy, suspenseful ride.
Final Verdict: Embrace the Camp
Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker’s Nightmare is quintessential Lifetime thriller fare, elevated by Eric Roberts’ scenery-chewing performance. It requires a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief, but for fans of the genre and those who appreciate a good “so bad it’s good” movie, it’s a must-watch. Tune in and witness the glorious absurdity of Dr. Beck’s latest escapade. Just remember, this “Doctor” is one you definitely want to avoid in real life.
