The Awakening

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The Awakening

R

Released Aug 17, 2012

1h 47m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

For all its pedestrian qualities, there are a couple of big plus points in its favour. They are Rebecca Hall and Dominic West.

Oct 26, 2022

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Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

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.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 30, 2012

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Whatever.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 30, 2012

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

The core cast and gothic setting makes for a time-honored and entertaining ghost story.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 22, 2023

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Jason Best

What's On TV

Nick Murphy has crafted an elegant haunted-house chiller that turns the screw of mystery and suspense with some cunningly judged surprises and scares.

Dec 22, 2020

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Katie Smith-Wong

Musings of Guitargalchina

It is beautifully shot and the scenery and the ambience of a large haunted house is wonderfully captured, but can this film be the upstart for the modern British horror?

Rated: 2/5

Dec 11, 2019

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Tim R

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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Elizabeth H

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

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Ray M

I enjoyed its eerie calmness and it is certainly beautifully made and acted. An interesting ghost story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

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Chris P

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."

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

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David F

This movie about a sort of ghost debunker in post-WWI England starts off very strong with tons of atmosphere, a remote boarding school in a large country house, and a deepening mystery. The resolution can’t quite live up to all this scene setting, unfortunately, but it is a meritorious effort nonetheless.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/04/24

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Kam P

Old fashioned ghost story set in a creepy English manor with a twist at the end. Viewers who want gore and blood will be disappointed and find it slow paced.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

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Nick Murphy

Director

Rebecca Hall

Florence Cathcart

Dominic West

Robert Mallory

Imelda Staunton

Maud Hill

Isaac Hempstead-Wright

Tom

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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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