Before I Wake

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1:26

Before I Wake

PG-13

2016

1h 37m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

47%

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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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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Ignatiy Vishnevetsky

AV Club

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.

Rated: B

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

A flawed film, but there are elements that really work, especially the lead performance and some of Flanagan's gifts with composition.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

Before I Wake's images have a pleasing straightforwardness that parallels the openness of the young protagonist's longing for love.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 22, 2017

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Jason Adams

My New Plaid Pants

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

Jul 2, 2021

Full Review

Emma Wolfe

SpookyAstronauts

It was a really surprising mix of being super emotional and super freaky.

Rated: 8/10

Apr 30, 2021

Full Review

Alix Turner

Ready Steady Cut

An atmospheric fantasy thriller about a young boy whose dreams come to life.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 27, 2021

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Korra N

Mike Flanagan's weakest film to date but still imaginative & palpable, Before I Wake never fully commits to either the horror nor wonder of such a situation, instead being capably acted & beautifully shot.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

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William O

The characters don't seem to react to anything around them, especially the mom. The parents don't have family, friends, or really anything to make them humans for the audience to cheer for. Cool idea, cool ending, poor execution.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Jeffrey P

No wonder their first kid died; they’re letting this new kid take stimulants and wash them down with sodas in the middle of the night. Butterflies and rhyme, but no reason or frights.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

Full Review

James F

Before I Wake is a movie I didn't like upon release. But over the years as I watch more of Mike Flanagan's filmography I have learned to appreciate his writing, editing, and directing style more than the jumpscare. So if you approach this film as typical supernatural Horror movie you won't get that. It has flaws and takes a concept that's been done before but with a much better approach and execution.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/24

Full Review

Thomas P

Some elements are cool but as whole falls short of being a "horror" movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

Full Review

Maureen M

This movie was ridiculous, incredibly boring and drawn out. Save your time. Horrible

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

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Mike Flanagan

Director

Kate Bosworth

Jessie

Thomas Jane

Mark

Annabeth Gish

Natalie

Dash Mihok

Whelan

Jacob Tremblay

Cody

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Before I Wake: Trailer 2

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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: Demarest Films, Intrepid Pictures, MICA Entertainment
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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