sketchy character development and poor world-building keep the film and its protagonists at arm's length, leaving behind an aftertaste that mixes frustration with disappointment
Gina Rodriguez gives a powerful performance.. but other elements of this high-concept thriller fall short. "Awake" seems in a hurry to plunge us into mayhem at the expense of a bit more time spent developing its story and characters
as a result, Awake never rises to the level of intensity of its cohorts like Crawl or The Crazies. Instead, it keeps reminding you how tired you are, without any perceivable endgame or rising tension
"Awake" is unforgivably dull, a title that by the end becomes more of a challenge; Gina Rodriguez can’t save a silly and unintentionally amusing apocalyptic tale about a mysterious affliction that means people are no longer able to sleep
"Awake" is bonkers in a fun way from time to time; And for audiences bored by what amounts to a slow-burn road trip, it's all too easy to close your eyes and look for something more exciting in your dreams
"Awake" has it issues with “Bird Box”-ing and cruelty, but the production pulls out of a few dramatic tailspins competently, and the general stress of the premise is felt throughout the viewing experience
by James Berardinelli [ReelViews ]
by Mick LaSalle [San Francisco Chronicle ]
by Benjamin Lee [The Guardian ]
by Brian Orndorf [Blu-ray.com ]
