🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Joby Harold
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2007
- Runtime (length): 1h 24min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (85k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 25%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A rich dude gets a new heart but also finds out his friends are trying to steal his money, and the only thing that saves him is his mom’s literal heart.
🍿 Awake: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Clay and His Dilemma
Clay Beresford, a wealthy young man with a failing heart, secretly marries Sam, his mother’s assistant, before undergoing a heart transplant. His overprotective mother, Lilith, disapproves of Sam and urges Clay to reconsider his choice of surgeon, Dr. Jack Harper, due to malpractice lawsuits against him. Despite her warnings, Clay trusts Jack, who previously saved his life.

The Surgery and Anesthetic Awareness
During the heart transplant surgery, Clay experiences anesthetic awareness, leaving him paralyzed but fully conscious and able to feel everything. To cope with the pain, he focuses on memories of Sam and flashbacks of his childhood. The surgical team is unaware of his consciousness and continues with the operation, revealing their sinister intentions.

A Conspiracy Unveiled
Clay overhears Dr. Harper and other members of the surgical team plotting to murder him by injecting his new heart with a chemical that will cause rejection. He discovers that Sam is also involved in the conspiracy, motivated by the potential inheritance of his wealth. The group plans to exploit his rare blood type to ensure no replacement heart is available in time.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Clay Beresford (Hayden Christensen): A wealthy young man with a failing heart who experiences anesthetic awareness during a transplant surgery and uncovers a plot to murder him.
- Sam Lockwood (Jessica Alba): Clay’s secret wife and mother’s assistant who is involved in the conspiracy to kill Clay for his inheritance.
- Dr. Jack Harper (Terrence Howard): Clay’s trusted surgeon and friend who leads the heart transplant operation but is pressured into a deadly scheme.
- Lilith Beresford (Lena Olin): Clay’s overprotective mother who disapproves of Sam and ultimately sacrifices herself to save her son.
- Dr. Larry Lupin (Christopher McDonald): A member of the surgical team who is not initially involved in the conspiracy against Clay.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Jack Harper: “At 6:32 this morning, on Thursday the 1st of November, Clayton Beresford Jr. died on my operating table. Two and a half hours later, his life was saved.” – Dr. Harper reflects on the events that unfolded during Clay’s surgery and his ultimate survival.
- Dr. Jack Harper: “There are no excuses for what we did. There’s no defense, no-one to blame but us. We got what we deserved. Clay would have his revenge, and justice would finally be served.” – Dr. Harper admits to his wrongdoings and acknowledges the consequences of his actions.
- Dr. Jack Harper: “But despite all the secrets, despite all the lies, and a terrible loss, one thing really matters now. He… is… awake.” – Dr. Harper concludes the narration, emphasizing Clay’s survival and return to consciousness.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $8,600,000
- Domestic Gross: $14,377,198
- Worldwide Gross: $32,730,062
💥 Awake Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching “Awake” when it first came out and being completely creeped out by the idea of being awake during surgery. The movie really got under my skin. The twists definitely kept me guessing. While it’s not a perfect movie, it’s a unique thriller that I still find myself thinking about from time to time. I will say, the graphic surgery scenes made me squirm!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers who enjoy suspenseful thrillers with unexpected twists.”
- “Fans of Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, or Terrence Howard.”
- “Those interested in medical dramas with a dark and twisted plot.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic depictions of open-heart surgery.”
- “Themes of betrayal and murder.”
- “Brief scenes of drug use and language.”
- “May be disturbing for viewers sensitive to medical procedures.”
Professional Reviews
- Hollywood Reporter: “”Awake” does for operations what Jaws did for the water, with compelling performances that create a tense movie experience. Its many twists cause dizziness.
- Roger Ebert: “A film that just has a roller coaster great time. Leave your inner critic at home and just sit back and enjoy the riveting entertainment. It has amazing twists that even the lame critics who said ‘they didn’t like this film’, sheepishly admit was incredibly well done.
Audience Reactions
The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end!: Most viewers appreciated the film’s suspenseful plot and unexpected twists, even if they found some elements far-fetched.
Thoughtful plot: This movie makes you think about the real nature of beauty, when being rich is dangerous, and mother’s true love can indeed do miracles.
Overall Consensus: “Awake” is a thriller with an interesting premise and some notable twists, but its execution divides audiences, with some finding it suspenseful and others finding it ludicrous.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Hayden Christensen replaced Jared Leto, who was originally considered for the main character.”
- “The film explores the phenomenon of ‘anesthetic awareness’, where patients are paralyzed but conscious during surgery.”
- “One of the deleted scenes included an alternate introduction for Dr. Larry Lupin, who entered the hospital dressed as the Grim Reaper.”
🖥️ How to Watch Awake?
Awake is currently available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Awake, you might like these similar films:
- Coma (1978): Deals with a conspiracy within a hospital setting, uncovering dark secrets during medical procedures.
- The Sixth Sense (1999): Features a character in a unique state between life and death, uncovering hidden truths and past events.
- The Game (1997): A wealthy individual finds himself trapped in a complex and dangerous game where those around him cannot be trusted.
🛒 Awake Related Products
- Anesthesia Awareness: The Silent Epidemic by Dr. Emery Brown: Explore the real science and experience of Anesthesia Awareness, non-fiction book dives into the facts behind the film’s premise. Understand anesthesia awareness, and all medical events related to the movie ‘Awake’.
- Anatomical Human Heart Model: Perfect for Medical Students, Doctors and general audiences who wish to explore the movie with a closer look at what the heart looks like.
🎧 Soundtrack
Awake features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Anesthetic awareness is a rare phenomenon where a patient undergoing surgery remains conscious and aware of their surroundings but is paralyzed and unable to communicate.
Initially, it appears to be Dr. Jack Harper, but the film reveals a larger conspiracy involving Clay’s wife, Sam, motivated by financial gain.
Lilith sacrifices herself to ensure Clay receives a healthy heart, offering the ultimate act of motherly love and thwarting the conspirators’ plans.
🔥 Bonus Content
Awake (2007) Thriller Hollywood Movie Explained In Hindi
Ever felt totally lost during ‘Awake’? This Hindi explanation breaks down every twist and turn! I found it super helpful in understanding the ending, you might too!
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