Before I Wake movie review

It has a strong cast in Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane and young Jacob Tremblay (of Room fame) but the uneven script works against them as they attempt to piece together why their adopted son, eight-year-old Cody (Tremblay), suffers from nightmares.

Cody has joined the family after the tragic death of the family’s son and they are hopeful that the newcomer will help cement their fragile and fractured relationship. The couple, Jessie (Bosworth) and Mark (Thomas Jane) are no longer able to conceive other children and so they decide to adopt Cody.

There is one peculiar thing about him: Cody is terrified of falling asleep and he will do anything to stay awake. Apparently, Cody has a mysterious gift that enables him to make his dreams literally come true whenever he sleeps. Through Cody’s imagination, Jessie and Mark are able to experience wonderful images. The downside to Cody’s dreams, however, is the creepy manifestation of “The Canker Man” (Christopher “Topher” Bousquet).

What originally manifests as a swarm of colourful butterflies representing the outline of The Canker Man soon becomes an overused visual motif which loses its effectiveness. Also, the tall, gaunt bogeyman that haunts Cody never comes across as a scary entity and belongs more in a video game. Still, the movie has its few moments.

With the help of cinematographer Michael Fimognari and production designer Patricio Farrell, Flanagan wisely opted for a more classical approach to frame his shot. As a result, certain scenes that take place in the dark or quiet surroundings manage to evoke a foreboding sense of dread and creepiness.

There is also an emotional element in the script from director Flanagan and co-writer Jeff Howard that deals with loss and parental love and contributes a sub-text to proceedings.