I'm quite surprised to see so many high ratings for this film - 10/10? Best film ever? Really??

This film had a germ of a good idea and the special effects are a plus point, there are even some solid jump scares. That said, the characters are pretty flat and underdeveloped ([spoiler]an antagonist for the main kid character, Cody (Jacob Tremblay), is literally just referred to as "bully" and is a generic character with no rhyme nor reason to be picking on Cody[/spoiler]) and the storyline feels like it could have done with about an extra half hour to unfold more, e.g. [spoiler]it was quite ridiculous that grieving parents Jessie and Mark, played by Kate Bosworth and Thomas Jane, just accepted and immediately exploited Cody's special powers, as if superpowers are a very unremarkable thing[/spoiler]. I think perhaps one of the biggest WTF moments for me was when [spoiler]Cody's dreams killed Mark but Jessie didn't take a moment to morn him or feel angry at Cody for taking her husband away from her, especially after she had tragically lost her biological son. She even ends the film continuing to live with and look after him[/spoiler]!

As for the ending, it was OK and probably sounded better on paper than the actual execution. [spoiler]There was also no explanation for why the kid had these powers; it just was, as if that was all that was needed.[/spoiler]

If you've got a spare 90 minutes or so and want to watch something fairly unchallenging and that is occasionally creepy, then _Before I Wake_ fits the bill. Beyond that, though, there are plenty of better films out there. I found the plot too ropey and the characters too flat to recommend this outside of a "it's not terrible but it's not great".

What a disaster. I'm completely floored that the same person who created the masterpiece "Oculus", also created this trainwreck of a movie.

There is not really much to say about this movie, nor will I make much effort trying to do so. The storyline is completely insane. Probably one of the most ludicrously executed plots I have ever witnessed. Seriously, if you watch movies for story, then don't see this.

The characters are among the most unbelievable and unlikeable bunch I have ever seen. I wanted to kill half the cast with my bare hands. And the other half was just awful too. So seriously, if you watch movies for the characters, then don't see this.

Which brings me to "the feels" of this movie. It is as cheesy as it gets. And then some. It tries it's absolute hardest to pull on your heart strings, and it fails so spectacularly at it that it quickly becomes annoying really fast. Unless you like them powty-mouthed kids who speaks as if they have put one too many crayons up their cute little button noses, of course. And because there is zero chance of connecting on any level with any of the characters, or the story for that matter, this problem only gets worse. At the end, when the movie predictably falls apart completely, believe me, you wish you could get your hands on that kid :-) so, if you like atmosphere in your movies, don't see this.

Oh and the scary stuff? One scene definitely made me jump, otherwise it's more of a (very very bad) drama movie of sorts. But with almost no drama. I think you get the point. So if you're looking for something scary, definitely don't see this.

If you haven't gotten the point yet, then I will be upfront: Just don't see this movie.

**It all begins with the butterflies!**

People think it is a horror, but it was a fantasy-horror. According to the director, it is a supernatural theme. You may ask what's the big deal, but if you watch the film you will get, particularly the conclusion twist. It was a decent film with a good cast. It marks the return of the wonder boy Jacob Tremblay, after a tremendous performance debut from the Oscar nominated film 'Room'. Once again, he was brilliant, but due to the different theme, it might not be recognisation on a big scale. The main narration was led by Kate Bosworth, really worth mentioning her role as she was excellent like never before in the lead.

When a young couple lose their son, they adopt an eight year old boy, Cody. It's a new start for them, as well as for the boy, but after a few days later they come to know the boy has some kind of supernatural power. So they begin to use him for their own gain and neglect him on the other ground. But it won't stay long that way, as one day a dreadful event happens, followed many similar. The remaining narration is to tell us how they're going to fix it, but the real question is, is it possible to solve.

It's a better film than what the rating states. But the issue was it is kind of improvised version of 'Oculus'. And it is not too scary or the too soft narration, but the kind of ending it had, it should have been targeted the families and children with more leaning on the fantasy stuffs. I think the horror concept brought in just to attract the adult crowds. Overall, it can be watched by everyone and that excludes little kids. For me the ending part made me consider it a good film. Because I believe everyone had such misunderstanding, growing up at that stage of the life, so did I.

7/10

Good premise, good design. Bad lead performance, bad... amount... of dropped plot points? That was less concise than it sounded in my head. What I'm trying to say is that for every positive _Before I Wake_ has on offer, there is an equal and opposite negative to bring it back down again.

_Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._

**Absurd situations that can't just be ignored**

Somnia features an intriguing beginning because of an interesting plot,
enjoyable locations and likable characters, then everything will start
to fall apart. There are too many nonsense moments, you will disagree
with almost all of the actions taken by our protagonists, and the
events taking place will be far from realistic.

Be aware of the genre, don't expect this movie to be much of a horror,
don't expect this movie to be much of a fantasy neither ... it's a mix
that I didn't personally enjoy. Special effects are well made at least.

Cutting it short: the main issue is the writing and the ridiculous
situations. I don't want to make any spoiler but hopefully you will
understand my concerns when I mention the words "careless people".

P.S. Jacob Tremblay, the kid, is great.

_(4 stars out of 10)_