Netflix have pushed out some cracking original shows and films over the past few years, providing countless hours of binge-watching and highly engrossing (and doubly net-grossing, I’d imagine) films with remarkable stories, complex characters and consistent value.
When it comes to their original horrors, however, Beasts of No Nation and The Fundamentals of Caring seem to push any chance of a good horror movie into the mud whilst House of Cards and Orange is the New Black stand around it, pointing and laughing whilst squirting urine and period blood all over the already soiled face of shame that is Clinical and I am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House.
However!
Redemption seemed to reveal itself in the surprisingly charming form of a fantasy/drama infused gem of horror that is Before I Wake. The short and skinny of it is that a grieving couple who accidentally pulled an Ian Huntley on their only kid adopt a new one to fill the hole in their hearts and bring their family together again.
Except, when they bring in this little shit home who seems to try everything he can to stay awake (and for good reason), it turns out that his dreams manifest into the physical reality in the form of beautiful butterflies, willow-the-wisps, and even their dead son. However, it’s not just his dreams that become reality, but his reoccurring nightmare too.
Sounds pretty interesting, doesn’t it?
This very Stephen King-esque tale brings about some gorgeous storytelling with stunning visuals that seem to leave you with a sense of both wonderment and terror that each compliment one another perfectly in this very well-orchestrated tale of grief. However, don’t let the depressing premise of this film bite you on the bum and put you off, as there is a massive, heart-warming glow to this tale that gives it a great re-watch value that’s both charming and terrifying. It plays out almost like a fairy tale that is just the right amount of creepy that makes this film a great popcorn movie with friends, your better half, or even if you’re alone, for that matter.
The acting from our leading lady isn’t very up to scratch unfortunately, acting almost as though she didn’t want to be there for the majority (and no, this wasn’t a creative choice by the actress that mirrors her longing for something out of arms reach from her comfort zone and yada-yada-yada, you pretentious fucking prick). The supportive cast, however, are bang on and bring in a whole new wave of very impressive child actors to boot.
Aaron's Spoiler-Free Rating: Maybe not one for the masses, but as a genre film, I strongly recommend you at least give it a try if you’re looking for something different that still stomps your craving for horror and originality in a way that J.A. Byona’s The Orphanage did. 7/10Aaron James Waters is a best-selling Pulp Fiction writer who has written more books than he's actually read.
He's also the rotten apple of the group who thinks this whole Star Wars thing needs to hurry up and die already.
You can find all of Aaron's works on Amazon!
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