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The Awakening

Play trailer Poster for The Awakening R 2012 1h 47m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In post-World War I England a writer and sometime-ghost hunter (Rebecca Hall) investigates a reported haunting at a boys boarding school.
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The Awakening

The Awakening

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) 10/26/2022
For all its pedestrian qualities, there are a couple of big plus points in its favour. They are Rebecca Hall and Dominic West. Go to Full Review Moira MacDonald Seattle Times 08/30/2012
3/4
Though the story spirals a little out of control in the film's final scenes, "The Awakening" offers the low-key pleasures of an old-fashioned thriller and a lovely central performance. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 08/30/2012
2/4
Whatever. Go to Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 12
Set at the peak of spiritualism in the wake of World War I, The Awakening pulls from fertile storytelling material to infuse its scares and shocks with a vibrant undercurrent of charged emotional and historical context. Go to Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh 09/22/2023
4/5
The core cast and gothic setting makes for a time-honored and entertaining ghost story. Go to Full Review Jason Best What's On TV 12/22/2020
Nick Murphy has crafted an elegant haunted-house chiller that turns the screw of mystery and suspense with some cunningly judged surprises and scares. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Danielle C @DaniELLIE Jan 5 I thought this was a pretty good movie! Of course Rebecca Hall was wonderful (she always is) and the other actors were great as well. The problem lies in the twists, especially the final one. There are a few twists that are pretty decent and you don’t particularly see them coming, but the last “twist” kind of left me with an “enough is enough” attitude toward twists in general it felt like the writers forced too many in there. Overall this is def worth a watch and it was never boring 3.5/5 from me See more Jelisije J @jjosifovic Nov 13 A well acted and well directed movie that deals with a female ghost hunter trying to find the truth that is happening in an all boys school that is apparently haunted by a a child ghost. See more Tim R Apr 13 Due to the relatively low popcorn rating this film has received, I went in with no expectations but was pleasantly surprised by how well it was put together. I found the acting is admirable and engaging while the pacing was terrific; a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon or evening. See more Elizabeth H Mar 2 I loved this movie - however I prefer slower-paced, gothic-infused movies. Just because a movie has a slower burn doesn't mean it can't be engaging. The somber setting, chilling music, believable story-line, and addictive performances by the Rebecca Hall and Dominic West kept me absorbed 100%. And the plot twist fit into the story-line perfectly - it didn't get plopped in nonsensically just for a cheap thrill. Gorgeous movie. See more Ray M Feb 23 I enjoyed its eerie calmness and it is certainly beautifully made and acted. An interesting ghost story. See more Chris P Feb 2 A decent film with the always reliable and competent Rebecca Hall in the lead role as a professional paranormal debunker who can't outrun the ghosts of her own past. Think "The Conjuring" meets "The Sixth Sense." See more Read all reviews
The Awakening

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Cast & Crew

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Nick Murphy

Director

Rebecca Hall

Florence Cathcart

Dominic West

Robert Mallory

Imelda Staunton

Maud Hill

Isaac Hempstead-Wright

Tom

Shaun Dooley

Malcolm McNair

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The Awakening

The Awakening (2011) The Awakening (2011) The Awakening (2011) The Awakening (2011) Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart in "The Awakening." Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart in "The Awakening." Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart in "The Awakening." Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart and Dominic West as Robert Mallory in "The Awakening." Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart in "The Awakening." Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart in "The Awakening." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In post-World War I England a writer and sometime-ghost hunter (Rebecca Hall) investigates a reported haunting at a boys boarding school.
Director
Nick Murphy
Screenwriter
Stephen Volk, Nick Murphy
Distributor
Cohen Media Group
Production Co
StudioCanal, BBC Films
Rating
R (Some Violence|Sexuality/Nudity)
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 17, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$90.3K
Runtime
1h 47m
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