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Before I Wake

Play trailer 1:26 Poster for Before I Wake PG-13 2016 1h 37m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
67% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
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.
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Before I Wake

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Critics Consensus

Beware this waking nightmare: Before I Wake isn't always lucid enough to escape its wobbly story, but crafts a neat horror landscape of grief.

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Critics Reviews

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Ignatiy Vishnevetsky AV Club 01/05/2018
B
Horror movies that exploit broad childhood phobias about bedtime lights-outs and basement chores are a dime a dozen, but it's really refreshing to find one made with a parent's curiosity and concern for a child's point of view. Go to Full Review
Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com 01/05/2018
2.5/4
A flawed film, but there are elements that really work, especially the lead performance and some of Flanagan's gifts with composition. Go to Full Review
Chuck Bowen Slant Magazine 12/22/2017
3/4
Before I Wake's images have a pleasing straightforwardness that parallels the openness of the young protagonist's longing for love. Go to Full Review
Jason Adams My New Plaid Pants 07/02/2021
Before I Wake is the ten millionth horror movie about parents mourning a dead child but it actually manages to grab ahold of that horror with two hands and shake the guts out of it at times Go to Full Review
Emma Wolfe SpookyAstronauts 04/30/2021
8/10
It was a really surprising mix of being super emotional and super freaky. Go to Full Review
Alix Turner Ready Steady Cut 01/27/2021
3.5/5
An atmospheric fantasy thriller about a young boy whose dreams come to life. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ti H @Tihas 1d This is more of a supernatural sci-fi than a horror. I think it would be scary for up to 7 to 9-year-olds but I don't think it's meant to be scary. It's a lovely family drama about a gifted boy whose dreams become real. Very imaginative. Wonderful story, beautifully acted by the little boy and by Kate Bosworth. If you like movies, such as Robin Williams What Dreams May Come, which I do, you will probably really love this movie. It has a beautiful modern Gothic quality. See more Anthony M @Anthony700 Jan 6 Was exited about the concept most horror movies follow the same tropes so its creativity was refreshing. Unfortunately I found the storytelling to be bland and the horror to be underwhelming. I liked a few of the plot points but overall found it to be dull. I didn’t like how the horror was on and off you could clearly tell when it was supposed to be scary and the movie failed to build suspense at any point for me. Great premise mediocre execution. Not a movie that I’d watch again and again but interesting enough that it’s quite enjoyable. See more Bill T @btreakle Nov 24 “Before I Wake” is a movie about a young boy who’s adopted by a couple and possesses a special talent. This talent only manifests itself when the young boys a sleep and is dreaming and it later transforms into the the realm of the living. Film stars,Kate Bosworth and Thomas Jane. This film is a supernatural film slash thriller it is very well done and directed. For all the supernatural fans out there and fans of movie thrillers this one’s for you I enjoyed it very much and I think this is a film that is suited for most all ages. As always parents discretion is advised. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug Oct 12 Simply not very scary, and in between its attempts at being scary the film is just plain sappy. See more k j @pookiepig Sep 7 Would have been 5 stars if the mom stfu she was so annoying they really should have re- casted or killed her off within the first 10 minutes every time she opened her mouth I let out a audible groan waiting for the next dumb thing she would say. See more John W Aug 17 I enjoyed the film. It is well acted, the story is beautifully told, and the variety of moods throughout the film was very good. It creates some scary moments and has a few really good jump scares, but also a few effects that are a bit over the top and therefore less scary. There were also weaker moments in the plot, but overall it was really convincing. See more Read all reviews
Before I Wake

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Movie Info

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.
Director
Mike Flanagan
Producer
Trevor Macy, Sam Englebardt, William D. Johnson
Screenwriter
Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Production Co
Intrepid Pictures, MICA Entertainment, Demarest Films
Rating
PG-13 (Violent Content|Terror|Disturbing Images)
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 5, 2018
Runtime
1h 37m
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