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critics consensus

The Awakening never quite quickens the pulse the way it should, yet it remains a well-acted and handsomely assembled example of an old-fashioned supernatural thriller. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

In post-World War I England a writer and sometime-ghost hunter (Rebecca Hall) investigates a reported haunting at a boys boarding school.
  • Rating:
    R (Some Violence|Sexuality/Nudity)
  • Genre:
    horror
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Nick Murphy
  • Writer:
    Stephen Volk, Nick Murphy
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $90.3K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    StudioCanal, BBC Films

Cast & Crew

Rebecca Hall
Florence Cathcart
Dominic West
Robert Mallory
Imelda Staunton
Maud Hill
Isaac Hempstead-Wright
Tom
Shaun Dooley
Malcolm McNair
Joseph Mawle
Edward Judd
Lucy Cohu
Constance Strickland
John Shrapnel
Rev. Hugh Purslow
Diana Kent
Harriet Cathcart
Richard Durden
Alexander Cathcart
Nick Murphy
Director
Stephen Volk
Screenwriter
Nick Murphy
Screenwriter
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Critic Reviews for The Awakening

All Critics (74) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (28)

View All Critic Reviews (74)

Audience Reviews for The Awakening

  • Jul 12, 2016
    A decent period-piece horror. The mystery that unfolds is pretty intriguing, but the package it comes in is less engaging, particularly in the first half.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 08, 2015
    The Awakening is not a bad ghost story. One can clearly see an effort put in by the cast and crew. It is the type of film one would like to rate up. However, the Awakening has issues with plot and focus. It is somewhere caught between a detective story, a ghost story, and a drama. Unfortunately, the detective bits feel rushed without much exposition. As a drama the film also suffers, the main character crosses the line from assertive to plain rude and is not sympathetic until the end. However, the acting is fine, the film looks nice, and is a good view for fans of ghost stories.
    Robert B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 14, 2015
    The Awakening is an atmospheric British horror film starring Rebecca Hall and Dominic West. Set in post-World War I England, a paranormal researcher named Florence Cathcart, who dedicates herself to exposing frauds, is enlisted to uncover the truth behind a haunting at an orphanage; but she soon discovers that there's more going on than a simple hoax. Hall gives a good performance that's full of nuance. And, the costumes and set designs are well-done; giving an authentic (and slightly creepy) feel to the film. However, the pacing's rather poor and the ghost investigation is perfunctory. Yet while it's a little monotonous at times, The Awakening is quite chilling.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 28, 2015
    Not a bad film. I don't know if I was just not paying as much attention as I should've to this when I was watching it, but I just found it to be really confusing. Still decent though, good acting, and a nice ending. Worth checking out, but not really anything special.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
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