The Awakening – Film Review

 

Director: Nick Murphy

Starring: Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton

Distributor: Optimum Releasing

It’s that time of year again when horror films appear in droves in order to sync up with Halloween and the dreary weather that comes with it. A lot of dud horrors get released at this time, with the odd gem shining through. The Awakening had the potential to be one of these gems, one of those horror films that escapes the popular mainstream idea that horror cinema is ‘low’ cinema. Sadly, while it does good work in the run up, it trips short of the finish line.

The Awakening opens on a bleak note, reflecting upon the deaths of World War 1, and from this point on, it gets bleaker still. Grey is the predominant colour splashed upon the screen. It focuses on the supernatural events which appear to be taking place within a boarding school in rural England. Florence Cathcart, played by Rebecca Hall, is hired to investigate these happenings and expose them as fraudulent. Thus far, it is very reminiscent of classic horror films such as The Innocents, which put strong emphasis on the notion that ‘less is more’.

The opening 45 minutes of the film is masterfully crafted. Natural yet unsettling images abound, which ensures a mounting tension before any hint of the supernatural has even come to the foreground. The first suggestion of Cathcart’s family is followed by her standing solemnly before a multitude of empty dining room chairs in the middle of a wet city street. There is plenty of implication, but very little is stated. As she approaches the boarding school, in which the majority of the film takes place, the camera falls over the bleak and empty countryside. This surrounding landscape, with its dead trees and creeping mist, feels genuinely oppressive, and portrays the boarding school as the only refuge from it. This, in turn, makes some of the ensuing events even more chilling.

The mystery behind the hauntings is set up nicely. Evidence of the ghosts’ presence is all that is given before the audience will actually get to see anything worthwhile. Psychological tactics are used initially, with one scare involving a doll house used to particularly good effect. Hall is also a very likeable presence, and interesting due to a somewhat ambiguous personality. However, it will soon become apparent that the director is writing a cheque that he cannot cash.

Unfortunately, the screen is crowded with too many pointless characters and the plot feels needlessly complicated. This should have been a much simpler film than it actually is. It also falls into mainstream horror movie territory at around the halfway point of the film. This means it relies more on jump scares than anything, which feels very disappointing after so much potential has been shown. It also concludes with a weak twist, that feels recycled from several horror films that have come before it. Bad ones.

Still, the film has the saving grace that it has a strong main cast. A horror film devoid of stupid yet attractive 18 year olds is still a welcome relief, despite anything else. As well as Rebecca Hall, Dominic West feels like a very natural character, with little quirks that are not strongly emphasized and all the more effective for it. Imelda Staunton fits into her role as the friendly yet mysterious matron perfectly. It’s a shame that the dialogue these fine actors are given becomes so clumsy after the halfway mark.

Despite a very promising opening act, The Awakening is just another filler horror movie. It isn’t ridiculously awful. The scares are effective, even if they are overly familiar. If that is all you’re looking for, this will certainly do the job. However, those thinking that the high production values indicate a more intelligent horror experience, you will surely be disappointed.

Score: 3/5

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