The trio of directors Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell, and François Simard take a basic concept and transform it into a chilling horror-thriller that is sure to please fans of the genre. In “Wake Up“, an unsuspecting group of young individuals find themselves in a deadly confrontation with a ruthless murderer – not exactly an original plotline. However, it’s the grisly atmosphere, precise storytelling, and bold climax that sets this movie apart from others.
Title penned by Alberto Marini, “Wake Up” narrates the story of six passionate activists who resort to unconventional methods to advocate for their cause. The group, led by Ethan (Benny O. Arthur) and joined by Tyler (Kyle Scudder), experienced Yasmin (Jacqueline Moré), lively Grace (Alessia-Yoko Fontana), flirtatious Emily (Charlotte Stoiber), and novice Karim (Thomas Gould), have their sights set on a well-known home improvement store that has an unsavory reputation for mistreating animals.
As a cinephile, I found myself drawn into a thrilling tale, where our protagonists stealthily slip into a store and conceal themselves until evening’s fall. Once the store is sealed tight and cloaked in darkness, the antagonists emerge from their lairs, donning peculiar, mask-like crafts made of paper, and wreak havoc throughout the establishment for their social media admirers to witness. They boasted about meticulously planning their scheme for months on end. However, it wasn’t long before the discerning eye could spot the glaring inconsistencies that marred their grand design.
While the vandals carry out their destructive spree, two security guards remain indolent in a secluded room, oblivious to the chaos unfolding within the store. One of them is Kevin (Turlough Convery), a rugged, outdoor-loving man with a fiery temperament that led him to the night shift. His brother Jack (Aidan O’Hare) has consistently tried to support Kevin in keeping his job. Eventually, they become aware of the intruders on their surveillance screen. However, with Jack under the influence, they decide not to contact the head office and instead aim to scare off the intruders themselves.
Regrettably, it seems as if every potential mishap occurs. The guards and activists clash, resulting in Jack’s untimely death, followed by Kevin’s descent into madness, transforming him into a ruthless hunter who targets the unfortunate activists. The filmmakers then skillfully blend traditional slasher elements with survival horror tropes to create an engaging atmosphere, maintaining suspense and delivering appropriate (and gory) deaths throughout.
Furthermore, let me clarify a point about the conclusion. It’s not something revolutionary, but it does add a surprising twist that challenges our preconceived notions about this genre. Nevertheless, “Wake Up” does encounter some common pitfalls typically found in such films. The characters’ decisions aren’t always consistent, there are instances where logic falters, and an undercurrent of absurdity is hard to shake off. However, the movie manages to keep things engaging, largely due to Whissell, Whissell, and Simard understanding the genre and delivering a well-executed product.
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2025-04-01 17:56