Awake

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Awake

R

2007

1h 24m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

23%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

While undergoing surgery, a young man (Hayden Christensen) experiences intraoperative awareness. He becomes fully alert -- but paralyzed -- and therefore cannot tell his doctors that he is not sedated and is enduring the whole process. Meanwhile, his wife (Jessica Alba) wrestles with demons of her own while her husband suffers through his ordeal.

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Critics Consensus

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

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James Dyer

Empire Magazine

04/06/2008

1/5

Less painful than having your chest cut open, but a disagreeable experience just the same.

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Adam Nayman

eye WEEKLY

01/10/2008

3/5

The twist-happy screenplay holds together, and the actors around Christensen are better than they have to be: not only reliable hands like Lena Olin and Arliss Howard, but also a perfectly cast Jessica Alba, smartly playing with and against her looks.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

12/30/2007

C-

Makes one want to assume a state of mind opposite to the film's title.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/02/2020

1.5/4.0

Awake may actually be the perfect video rental for even the most hardcore insomniac.

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Matt Hudson

What I Watched Tonight

10/20/2018

7/10

A gripping thriller with a good twist and a fantastic medical plot device, Awake is a good watch and succeeds in providing an uneasy feeling as the knives go in...

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

10/03/2012

C-

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Mohamad H

@Mohamad-Hyder Feb 18

The acting is amazing, Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba really outdid themselves. The movie has a surprising plot, and stole my attention from start to finish. Great movie.

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Ella P

@Tinckletoots2 Feb 13

The best movie ever!!! It was a little graphic so not for anyone under 13. The plot twist was absolutely gut wrenching and the way he completely yearned for her was incredibly underrated. Jessica Alba and Hayden Christian together in this movie changed my life. I need time to reflect on my life after this movie… 10/10 would definitely recommend!

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Pongo K

@RT48921889 Feb 4

Are you still awake? I am not. Booooring, ridiculous, drunk people in a heart transplant surgey. Stay away.

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David B

@DwarfOReilly Feb 2

So bad... Reminded me why of a daytime soap but with worse acting. Number 1 movie on Netflix in my region so go figure.

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Stu M

@StuMtjoy747 Jan 31

Two VERY good twists that I didn't see coming. Loved Jessica Alba since Dark Angel...

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Rozerin P

@Rozeri.n Jan 28

Awake from 2007 is not a typical thriller as commonly found within the genre. Instead of relying on conventional suspense, the film creates a consistently dark and unsettling atmosphere that gradually draws the viewer into its story. I tend to watch films with the intention of not immediately trying to decode the plot or identify those responsible. Approaching Awake with this mindset, I fully surrendered to the film and fell directly into the traps it deliberately sets for its audience. This manipulative narrative style is what makes the film engaging and effective. It skillfully plays with expectations and perception, creating tension through psychological pressure rather than action. Overall, Awake is a gripping thriller that takes its time to unfold and is therefore highly recommended.

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Joby Harold

Director

Hayden Christensen

Clayton Beresford Jr.

Jessica Alba

Sam Lockwood

Terrence Howard

Dr. Jack Harper

Lena Olin

Lilith Beresford

Sam Robards

Clayton Beresford Sr.

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Synopsis

While undergoing surgery, a young man (Hayden Christensen) experiences intraoperative awareness. He becomes fully alert -- but paralyzed -- and therefore cannot tell his doctors that he is not sedated and is enduring the whole process. Meanwhile, his wife (Jessica Alba) wrestles with demons of her own while her husband suffers through his ordeal.

Director: Joby Harold
Producer: John Penotti, Jason Kliot, Joana Vicente, Fisher Stevens, Bob Weinstein
Screenwriter: Joby Harold
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Open City Films, GreeneStreet Films Inc., Weinstein Company
Rating: R (Intense Disturbing Situation|Brief Drug Use|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.4M
Runtime: 1h 24m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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