🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mark Raso
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama, Action, Adventure, Horror, Psychological
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 4.9/10 (28K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A solar flare gives everyone insomnia, except for a little girl who almost drowned, so the solution is obviously to drown everyone!
🍿 Awake: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Initial Chaos and Insomnia
The film opens with Jill, a former soldier and recovering addict, navigating her life with her two children, Noah and Matilda. A global event occurs, wiping out all electronics and, more disturbingly, the ability for people to sleep. This leads to widespread panic and societal breakdown as sleep deprivation sets in.

Matilda’s Unique Ability
Amidst the chaos, Jill discovers that her daughter, Matilda, is able to sleep. This makes Matilda a valuable asset, and Jill is determined to protect her from those who might exploit her for a cure. The knowledge that someone holds the key to survival in this new world intensifies the stakes.

The Journey to The Hub
Jill, along with her children, embarks on a dangerous journey to a military base known as ‘The Hub,’ rumored to be researching a cure for the insomnia. Along the way, they encounter desperate individuals and navigate treacherous situations, showcasing the breakdown of society and the lengths people will go to survive.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jill (Gina Rodriguez): A former U.S. Army medic and recovering addict who fights to protect her children after a global event causes widespread insomnia.
- Matilda (Ariana Greenblatt): Jill’s daughter who is mysteriously able to sleep and may hold the key to a cure.
- Noah (Lucius Hoyos): Jill’s son, who struggles to cope with the insomnia and the dangers of the changed world.
- Dodge (Shamier Anderson): An escaped prisoner who helps Jill and her children, showing unexpected humanity in the face of chaos.
- Dr. Murphy (Jennifer Jason Leigh): A psychiatrist leading the research at The Hub, desperate to find a cure for the global insomnia crisis.
- Pastor (Barry Pepper): A local religious leader, whose faith is tested by the unprecedented global event and its consequences.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jill: “Fixing this car is going to be so hard.” – Jill expresses her frustration with the broken car, highlighting the challenges they face in a world without electronics.
- Dodge: “Burn the books, man. Burn ’em all. Don’t need those anymore.” – Dodge suggests abandoning knowledge, representing the shift in priorities during the crisis.
- Noah: “She died, Mom. Matilda died.” – Matilda’s death serves as a clue to the central mystery of the film.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $154,608
💥 Awake Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘Awake’ was a wild ride! At first, I was hooked by the whole ‘no sleep’ apocalypse. Gina Rodriguez really sells the desperation of a mom trying to protect her kids. The scene where they’re driving at night and have to dodge crazy people gave me serious anxiety! But the ending? Drowning her to cure her? It felt kinda random, but also kinda clever? I’m still not sure how I feel about it. If you like end-of-the-world thrillers, give it a shot, but be prepared for some weirdness.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in stories about societal breakdown”
- “Those who enjoy movies with a sci-fi twist”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Intense scenes”
- “Disturbing imagery”
- “Themes of societal collapse”
Professional Reviews
- Generic Film Critic: “Awake is a competent but ultimately forgettable addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. While Gina Rodriguez delivers a strong performance, the film’s predictable plot and underdeveloped characters prevent it from truly standing out. The premise is intriguing, but the execution lacks depth.
- Sci-Fi Enthusiast: “While the ‘no sleep’ concept is interesting, Awake struggles with pacing and logic. Some plot points feel rushed, and character motivations are murky. However, the suspenseful atmosphere and the exploration of societal breakdown are engaging enough to warrant a watch, especially if you’re a fan of the genre.
Audience Reactions
Rodriguez’s strong performance as a mother fighting to protect her children was a common highlight.: Viewers appreciated the suspenseful atmosphere and the movie’s exploration of societal breakdown in the face of a global crisis.
The unique premise of a world where no one can sleep initially intrigued many viewers.: Many appreciated the unique premise but felt that the execution could have been better.
Overall Consensus: Awake presents an interesting premise of a world without sleep but suffers from predictable plot elements and underdeveloped characters, resulting in a mediocre but somewhat watchable post-apocalyptic thriller.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film explores the premise of a world where humanity is unable to sleep due to a global event that wipes out electronics.”
- “Gina Rodriguez’s character, Jill, is a former U.S. Army medic and recovering addict, adding layers of complexity to her struggle to protect her children.”
- “The movie touches upon the themes of societal breakdown and the irrational behavior that emerges when basic human needs are not met.”
🖥️ How to Watch Awake?
Awake is currently available to stream on Netflix. As a Netflix original movie, it is exclusively available on their platform for streaming. While it’s not available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV, you can watch it with a Netflix subscription. Check local listings for any potential future availability on other platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Awake, you might like these similar films:
- The Quiet Earth (1985): Explores a similar post-apocalyptic scenario where a catastrophic event alters reality.
- Bird Box (2018): Features a mother protecting her children in a world where unseen forces drive people mad.
- A Quiet Place (2018): Centers on a family struggling for survival against a post-apocalyptic backdrop.
🛒 Awake Related Products
- Sleep Mask – Premium Sleep Aid: In a world where everyone is desperate for sleep, this sleep mask offers comfort and blocks out light, promoting relaxation and a sense of calm amidst chaos. Lightweight and designed for ultimate comfort.
- Survival Kit – Emergency Supplies: This comprehensive survival kit includes essential tools and supplies for navigating a world without power, inspired by the resourcefulness required in Awake. Ensure you are prepared for any emergency.
🎧 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
The film suggests that a solar flare was the cause of the global event that wiped out electronics and the ability for people to sleep. The flare affected the human brain, specifically targeting the ability to fall asleep.
Matilda could sleep because she had a near-death experience during the initial event. She drowned in a car accident and was revived. This experience somehow altered her brain, allowing her to retain the ability to sleep while everyone else lost it.
The cure was discovered by realizing that those who had temporarily died and were revived regained the ability to sleep. The film ends with Jill being drowned and resuscitated, suggesting that this method could be a cure for others.
🔥 Bonus Content
Do You Know How to Solve The Disaster#shorts
Curious about how people cope when they can’t sleep? This short clip from Awake is a wild ride! It gives you a glimpse of the chaos and desperation in the movie.
Do you find sleeplessness painful or blissful?
Ever wondered what it’s like to live without sleep? This short clip from Awake perfectly captures the torment and desperation. Gives a solid idea of the feel of the movie!
Anyone Tries to Sleep Will Die, but People Find Strange Ways to Stay Awake
Need a quick rundown of Awake before diving in? This recap video is super helpful. It breaks down the whole story in an easy-to-follow way, and gets to the interesting parts quickly.
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