With little information about the film I’m about to watch, as a result of little marketing, I found myself in a cinema seat waiting for “Wake Up” to start. The early stages of the movie made me regret being in that seat. I’ve seen a trailer for a movie a few days earlier and I didn’t expect its first act to be simply another trailer. Characters’ introduction didn’t feature anything noteworthy, other than direct and naive dialogue maybe. To let us know about their feelings towards each other, they had to spell them out. Then came the introduction of their nemesis and it was even more naive and made me wonder; if someone behaves this way in normal conversations, how can he be employed anywhere even with the help of his brother?! But luckily as we approach the second act, things become considerably better.
Wake Up 2024
“Wake Up” details the unfortunate adventure of 6 activists who plan to destroy a huge furniture store for environmental causes while filming the process, only to find themselves in a fight for their lives against a psychotic security guard with unique hunting skills and a large appetite for blood and violence.
With smart utilization of elements we always notice in such huge stores, the cozy furniture store that is built and designed to make everyone feels at home, becomes a perfect death trap. “Wake Up” is like “Home Alone” with horror taking the place of fun at every turn. Actually, to be accurate, witnessing Kevin design his traps and lure our victims into them offers the perfect combo of fun from trying to understand what he has in mind, to imagining the worst that could happen, to the painful moments of anticipation to how each situation will turn out.
The final act of “Wake Up” chooses an artistic direction that is both expressive with a message in mind and nihilistic at the same time. It felt out of tune compared to the rest of the movie but can’t deny that it looked amazing.
“Wake Up” is a fresh addition to horror concepts that emerge from the presumed happiest of places. It is bold but could’ve been bolder. It managed to shock me at points, but at other points what I anticipated was much worse than what actually happened. It’s a challenge to choose to see this film and a let down in the early stages but it gets better as it progresses and rewards the audience for their spirit of adventure.