Before I Wake is the ten millionth horror movie about parents mourning a dead child but it actually manages to grab ahold of that horror with two hands and shake the guts out of it at times

| Jul 2, 2021

It was a really surprising mix of being super emotional and super freaky.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Apr 30, 2021

An atmospheric fantasy thriller about a young boy whose dreams come to life.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 27, 2021

An emotionally complex tale of love, loss and the way that our past experiences haunt us in our everyday lives.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 9, 2020

At the root of this film are ideas about emotional trauma, how people choose to heal and move on, if they choose to even do so, as well as the power of our dreams/nightmares.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 6, 2019

More of a blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and domestic drama than straight horror, Flanagan's film is clunkier and cheaper-looking than his other works, and the adult performances are markedly slack.

| Original Score: C+ | Dec 7, 2018

The film has a unique premise with beautiful imagery and strong performances. The plot can be a bit over-sentimental, leading to a few glaring plot holes in the final act, but it is still fascinating to watch.

| Original Score: 6.5/10 | Nov 2, 2018

I am more fascinated by the way in which Flanagan and Howard weave the supernatural into a family story that comes first.

| Feb 5, 2018

Flanagan and Howard weave Boogeyman-style scares and emotional resonance into the fabric of a genre film. It's perhaps their darkest, most contemplative work to date.

| Original Score: B | Jan 28, 2018

Makes your heart soar...as much as it makes it pump in fear.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 23, 2018

The Canker Man makes Before I Wake a fine horror movie.

| Jan 16, 2018

There's a tangible heartbeat to Before I Wake that you don't often see in modern genre films, and I think that's why I enjoyed it as much as I did each time.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 12, 2018

The animating ideas of the project are sound, and Flanagan's handling of the material creates a good mixture of magical realism and slow-developing mystery.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 10, 2018

It makes for an intimate portrait of not only the terror felt by children after the night light has been turned off, but in the wonder and dread of the parents who are tasked with keeping those babes safe-and shaping the fancies that dance in their heads.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 9, 2018

Before I Wake is a warm blend of gloomy nightmares and deceptive brightness, emotionally accomplished in ways that establish an unbreakable, soulful connection.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jan 8, 2018

A heartfelt chiller that keeps its supernatural terrors grounded in humanity, thanks to genuine characters brought to life by a solid cast.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jan 6, 2018

Horror movies that exploit broad childhood phobias about bedtime lights-outs and basement chores are a dime a dozen, but it's really refreshing to find one made with a parent's curiosity and concern for a child's point of view.

| Original Score: B | Jan 5, 2018

A flawed film, but there are elements that really work, especially the lead performance and some of Flanagan's gifts with composition.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 5, 2018

Has its scary stuff, but it's after something more heartfelt between moments of shock and terror, with Flanagan and co-writer Jeff Howard digging a little deeper with the material.

| Original Score: B+ | Jan 4, 2018

Before I Wake's images have a pleasing straightforwardness that parallels the openness of the young protagonist's longing for love.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 22, 2017