DEAD AWAKE (2016)

Directed By: Phillip Guzman 
Written By: Jeffrey Reddick 
Cinematography By: Dominique Martinez 
Editor: Peter Devaney Flanagan 


Cast: Jocelin Donahue, Jesse Bradford, Jesse Borrego, Lori Petty, James Eckhouse, Brea Grant. Jeffrey Reddick 


Kate Bowman is an average social worker who is investigating in the mysterious deaths of people who died in their sleep. Shortly before their deaths, the victims all reported a supernatural force that appeared to them while they were suffering from sleep-paralysis. When Kate investigates further into the case, she opens herself up to the creature's wrath, and soon finds herself, and her family suffering from an ancient evil.

This film was pretty disappointing. Though it seems to have material that could have easily worked. 

This movie is pretty much dead on arrival. Everything about it is dull and drab. Even the performances where it seems like most of the cast would rather not be there. As they give lifeless performances where we barely care about their characters fate.

The Only reason we might is because the film tells us so. The so called spiritual guide played by Jesse Borrego is always fumbling throughout, especially in vital times he seems more like a comedic character as his actions are part of what is supposed to get the audience roles up or build suspense. Or to be secretly working against them

The film is pretty much a low rent horror film inspired by A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. Where here the characters continually suffer from sleep paralysis. Where to add to that symptom there seems to be a demon who literally strangled them to death sighing out their life force. Which goes on for about 6 minutes. Only no one else can see him. The problem is that literally that is all eh does besides try to seduce them to get close enough to do this. Even though the characters know this isn't reality. Yet fall for it and though the film suggests they have free will. The film never presents them as trying. Which might have made the film more interesting.

Even the phantom of these dreams isn't that original or interesting. As there is never really an explanation for it's presence or reasoning. Except it feeds on fear of those who choose to believe. Which makes the ending co fusing as the survivor warns others not to believe in it. While acknowledging it's Presence and that it will come back.

At least with A NIGHTMARE they presented the dreams as either vivid or surreal playgrounds that offered the supernatural. Here all it offers is the same scenario with some new lighting.

It's a shame as the cast is recognizable. Which brought me to the film in the first place but have all done and been in better films.

I will give the film some credit for trying a good idea, but the follow through is so bad that it becomes uninteresting and you have to force yourself to an ending that offers no surprises, it sets up maybe future sequels. While serving a supporting character justice they deserve. It truly comes across as boring and all for nothing.

The film just seems to go on and on offering what it feels like is mood and tension that just feels like boredom.

Trust me you can skip it.

 Grade: F