Awake

2007

Awake

Critics Consensus

Awake has an interesting premise but would have benefited from tighter performances and more efficient direction and editing.

24%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 62

54%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 237,767
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Awake Photos

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Movie Info

During surgery, more than 60,000 people domestically each year experience "anesthetical awareness," a condition when anesthesia fails during surgery, leaving one completely conscious and feeling every incision, but paralyzed and incapable of doing anything about it. This is what happens to Clay.
  • Rating:
    R (for language, an intense disturbing situation, and brief drug use)
  • Genre:
    Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Joby Harold
  • Written By:
    Joby Harold
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $14,296,153
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    MGM

Cast

Hayden Christensen
as Clayton Beresford Jr.
Jessica Alba
as Sam Lockwood
Terrence Howard
as Dr. Jack Harper
Lena Olin
as Lilith Beresford
Christopher McDonald
as Dr. Larry Lupin
Sam Robards
as Clayton Beresford Sr.
Arliss Howard
as Dr. Jonathan Neyer
Fisher Stevens
as Dr. Puttmna
Georgina Chapman (II)
as Penny Carver
David Harbour
as Dracula
Steven Hinkle
as Young Clay
Denis O'Hare
as Financial News Analyst
Charlie Hewson
as Brian the Orderly
Court Young
as Officer Doherty
Joseph Costa
as Dr. Elbogen
Poorna Jagannathan
as Dr. Neyer's Nurse
Lee Wong
as Mr. Waturi
Kae Shimizu
as Asian Translator
Steven Rowe
as Teacher
Jeffrey Fierson
as Head Chef
Richard Thomsen
as Minister
Joshua Rollins
as Funeral Minister
Brenda Schad
as Pergnant Woman
Sam Pitman
as Zombie
Ross Klavan
as Financial News Analyst #2
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Critic Reviews for Awake

All Critics (62) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (47)

  • Awake feels like an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode unfolding in slow motion, with each new revelation coming a reel or two after viewers have guessed it.

    Dec 6, 2007 | Rating: D+

    Scott Tobias

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • A medical thriller with a noggin full of novocaine, this shocker about a botched heart surgery evidently suffered brain surgery to match.

    Dec 6, 2007

    Jim Ridley

    L.A. Weekly
    Top Critic

  • With a couple of more drafts to mend the plot holes and restructure the middle act, Awake could have been saved.

    Dec 3, 2007 | Rating: 2/4

    Liam Lacey

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • [Joby] Harold's script has a surprise or three in it, a biggy near the end. But he's a director with no poker face. He tips his hand early and often.

    Dec 3, 2007 | Rating: 2/5

    Roger Moore

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • Awake is a pleasing if negligible diversion.

    Dec 3, 2007 | Full Review…

    Stephen Hunter

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • The plot has more holes in it than a tea bag and the film should come with a warning label: don't go see with anyone with even a modicum of medical knowledge, because they'll surely spend the film huffing and rolling their eyes skyward.

    Dec 3, 2007 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Bruce DeMara

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (62)

Audience Reviews for Awake

  • Dec 31, 2016
    The plot from awake was not original, Stephen King already wrote a similar premise decades ago. The film was incoherent, nonsensical, and rage inducing. If not for Alba it would have been completely forgotten.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Jun 14, 2012
    Though acting could of been better, but it is still well acted and casted. Lena Olin carried this film, she was fierce and strong, and Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba and Terrence Howard were good too, I just thought Lena Olin carried the film. The plot was good, the twist was great too, and the surgery scene was just really good, it looked real too. Critics are a little harsh on this movie, but I fully enjoyed the subject and the performances, its a really good movie.
    Angel G Super Reviewer
  • Oct 14, 2011
    I was kind of disappointed. It started off very slow...and the suspense just din't fit. It wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, it was alot different. The only interesting scene was the heart transplant, but that's about it. The acting was good, though, and i liked the whole out-of-body experience thing. All and all, it was an ok suspense flick, with a not so suprising twist ending.
    Jacob P Super Reviewer
  • Aug 20, 2011
    This was really good! I didn't expect the twist at the end. I couldn't imagine that happening to me - how scary!
    Erin C Super Reviewer
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