Welcome one and all. I recently watched a fantastic independent horror film called "Dead Awake". As always if you have any comments or thoughts on this or any other post on this blog you can leave a comment in the selection below or follow me on social media.
"Dead Awake" was released in 2016 and has had a limited run in theatres but, has now been released on DVD available through Amazon
"Dead Awake" was written by Jefferey Reddick who is best known for writing the first in the wildly popular "Final Destination" films and is based around the subject of sleep paralysis. If you didn't know what sleep paralysis is it is a very serious condition in which the patient wakes up and is completely paralysed with fear. It is said that 1 in 3 people suffer from at least one episode of sleep paralysis in their life. The story follows Kate Bowman, a social worker who is forced to face a mysterious force that is causing numerous people, including her sister and friends, to die in their sleep. As she investigates further into the entity haunting people in their sleep; Kate, along with her sisters boyfriend Evan, discover that belief in the entity is the reason for its continued existence. Along with discredited doctor, Hassan Davies, they must find a way to break the link between the mysterious entity and the threat of death.
I really enjoyed "Dead Awake" and I am glad that original stories are still being told and being given the attention they deserve. "Dead Awake" was a really coherent story and relied on genuine dread and terror rather than the quite/loud technique that modern horror movies rely on. Despite the lack of a a big budget the story takes central focus over over blown CGI effects.
Jocelin Donahue is fantastic as Kate and her twin sister Beth. There is character development throughout the film. She has a knack of showing by strength and vulnerability in equal measure. I would have liked to see more of the relationship between Kate and Beth and the cause for their distant relationship that was hinted at. Jesse Bradford was a fantastic supporting role as Evan. In modern horror the usual artist type is the prototypical burn out, being nothing more than an annoying stoner type that is full of conspiracy theories, I was a little worried that Bradfords character would fall into the same trap but, he did not. He became a character that the audience could get behind and perhaps see in a sequel if it were to be made. Lori Petty appears as Doctor Sykes, a sceptic of the whole theory of sleep paralysis being caused by a paranormal entity who I would have liked to see more of in the film other being a well placed, sometimes forceful, voice of reason. Brea Grant also appears in a far too small and odd unnamed role.
I cannot recommend "Dead Awake" more. Strong story telling and great character development make for a great little horror film that deserves a lot more eyes. As always thanks for reading. Remember if you have anything to add leave a comment below or follow me on social media by following the links below.
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