Before I Wake – Movie Review

Hi everyone!

Happy Tuesday. I hope you all had a great weekend. Today, I’m reviewing Before I Wake, which I watched on Netflix, Sunday.

As always, I will avoid spoilers. Enjoy 😊

---

Before I Wake
Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writers: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Starring: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Jacob Tremblay

Synopsis:

Foster parents Mark and Jessie welcome 8-year-old Cody into their home. The boy tells Jessie that he’s terrified to fall asleep, but she assumes it’s just a natural fear for any young child. The couple become startled when their dead biological son suddenly appears in their living room. To their surprise, Cody’s dreams can magically become real but so can his nightmares. Mark and Jessie must now uncover the truth behind Cody’s mysterious ability before his imagination harms them all.

Review:

Before I Wake is an interesting blend of horror and fantasy in a way that I never expected. At its core, it is about a broken family who is striving to heal from an unthinkable accident, and a orphaned child striving to survive his nightmares.

Before I Wake is just as interested in making the viewer curious and invested in the characters as it is about the scares, which I think is refreshing. In the beginning, Jessie, is a grieving mother who can’t help but manipulate Cody. Cody is pretty well adjusted for the craziness he is experiencing.

Jacob Tremblay was perfect in the role of Cody, with his sophisticated and innocent demeanor. He was convincing and real. Such talent at such a young age.

Kate Bosworth’s portrayl of Jessie was also a stand out performance in Before I Wake. Jessie is a complex. She is genuine but she is also a grieving mother searching for peace and Bosworth plays this role amazingly.

The pacing in this film is, I think, what makes it so compelling. The writers wasted no time showing the beauty of Cody’s powers in the form of brightly colored butterflies filling Jessie and Mark’s home. It gives you, the viewer, this sense of hope and happiness. Shortly after, the mood changes for you, as the viewer, when you get your first glimpse of the Canker Man, the terror that also shows up when Cody dreams. It’s this back and forth of hope and dread that makes this a smart horror film. It doesn’t rely on lame jump scares.

Wrap-Up:

Before I Wake is an incredibly beautiful story and a very rewarding horror movie. What a lot of horror movies lack, this movie does exceedingling well. I definitely recommend this one!

Rating:

4/5☆

---

What did you think of Before I Wake?

I hope your week is short and happy! 😊

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @jessica_rachow
Instagram: @jessica_rachow
Facebook: @authorjessicarachow
Google+
Alter Reach Inspiration on Pinterest
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Email: jessicarachow15@gmail.com