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Action thriller

Awake (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Awake (2021) movie poster

Awake is a 2021 action thriller directed by Mark Raso, starring Gina Rodriguez as Jill, Ariana Greenblatt and Frances Fisher. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $154,608 worldwide. Critics gave it 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10.

IMDb rating
4.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
22%
worldwide gross
$154.6K
Echo Score
48
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Awake (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Mark Raso
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Awake About?

The premise of Awake without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a world where technology has failed and sleep has vanished, society descends into chaos. Ex-soldier Jill Rodriguez is forced to confront her past as she embarks on a perilous mission to save her daughter, who holds the potential key to a cure. Battling inner demons and facing escalating dangers, Jill must protect her daughter and find a way to restore order before humanity is lost.

Awake Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • soldier
  • electronics
  • solution
  • insomnia
  • t bone car crash
  • one word title
  • single mother
  • conspiracy theorist
  • hospital
  • head wound
  • car in a lake
  • expired medicine
+38 more
  • drug dealer
  • global catastrophe
  • mother in law daughter in law relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • redheaded woman
  • woman meditates
  • meditation
  • creaking floorboards
  • worried mother
  • car crash
  • stargazing
  • mother son talk
  • riding a bicycle
  • sleeping pill
  • profanity
  • female security guard
  • church
  • pastor
  • former drug addict
  • prayer
  • stealing a bicycle
  • murder of a police officer
  • finding a dead body
  • reference to pontius pilate
  • shot in the back of the head
  • police officer commits murder
  • threatened with a gun
  • running through the woods
  • mother carries daughter piggy back
  • head kicked in
  • stomping on someone's head
  • hiding under a table
  • woman crawls on the floor
  • garage
  • brother sister relationship
  • brother sister talk
  • custody arrangement
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Cast & crew

Awake Cast & Characters

Gina Rodriguez leads the cast as Jill, with Ariana Greenblatt as Matilda and Frances Fisher as Doris. Directed by Mark Raso; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Awake

· 6 more
From the director

More from Mark Raso

More films directed by Mark Raso, best-rated first: Copenhagen, Kodachrome, The Ugly Chickens and Under.

Full filmography
Ratings

Awake Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Awake 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (45).

48 /100

Awake Echo Score Breakdown

Awake delivers a high-concept premise that many reviewers found intriguing, yet its execution falls short across most dimensions. Critics and users consistently note sluggish pacing, underdeveloped plot mechanics, and uneven direction, while a few acknowledge occasional visual flair and a clever twist that momentarily elevates the material. Performances are mixed, with the lead receiving occasional praise but the ensemble described as uneven. The cumulative effect is a film that struggles to sustain engagement, resulting in a low overall rating.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits occasional visual creativity, such as effective color palette choices, but suffers from notably poor editing and uninspired direction. Critics point to a lack of coherence in visual storytelling and a reliance on familiar post‑apocalyptic tropes. The overall production design fails to compensate for these shortcomings, leading to an assessment of modest technical competence hindered by execution flaws.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When evaluating character and emotion, the lead performance receives sporadic commendation for intensity, yet the broader cast is frequently described as lacking depth and consistency. Reviewers highlight a two‑note portrayal for the protagonist and unrealistic character arcs, though some note moments of convincing acting. The mixed reception reflects a partial success in eliciting emotional engagement amid generally flat or uneven portrayals.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, Awake is criticized for a slow, meandering narrative that leaves key premises underdeveloped. Critics label the plot as a retread with insufficient justification for its central conceit, and users echo concerns about plot holes and an unsatisfying resolution. While a few acknowledge an intriguing premise, the overall consensus points to a lack of cohesive storytelling and pacing that diminishes audience investment.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    The sensory experience receives the most favorable remarks, with reviewers noting the film's clever shot composition and a color scheme that supports its tonal intentions. Sound design and score are not heavily discussed, but occasional moments of auditory and visual tension are praised. This relative strength in visual style balances some of the film's other deficiencies, resulting in a moderately positive assessment of its sensory elements.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch factor considerations reveal limited replay value, as most critics describe the film as quickly losing appeal. A minority of reviewers cite a clever twist that could merit a second viewing, and one user expresses willingness to watch again under different circumstances. Overall, the consensus indicates that the film's shortcomings in narrative and pacing outweigh its occasional highlights, yielding a middling rewatch potential.

Plot

Awake Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Awake from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Former U.S. Army medic and recovering addict, Jill Adams works as a security guard at a local college, where she engages in unethical behavior by stealing drugs from the research lab to sell. After her difficult shift, she retrieves her children, Noah and Matilda, from their grandmother, Doris. However, their journey takes a tragic turn when their car loses power and collides with another vehicle, plunging them into a lake. While Matilda drowns, she is miraculously revived by a police officer amidst bizarre circumstances—everything that runs on electricity is suddenly experiencing malfunctions.

Full summary

The whole story of Awake, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Awake Box Office

Awake grossed $154,608 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$154.6K

International
$154.6K
Videos

Awake Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Awake.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Awake?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Jill Adams' profession before becoming a security guard?

Cars

Cars in Awake

30 cars on screen, including the 1973 Dodge Polara and the 1995 Volvo 850.

All 30 cars
  • 1973 Dodge Polara in Awake 1973 Dodge Polara Important role
  • 1995 Volvo 850 in Awake 1995 Volvo 850 Important role
  • 1967 Chevrolet Camaro in Awake 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Minor role
  • 2009 Ford F-150 in Awake 2009 Ford F-150 Minor role
Details

Awake Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “无眠觉醒” and “觉醒”.

Also known as
  • 无眠觉醒
  • 觉醒
  • 어웨이크
  • Неспящие
  • Probuzení
  • Disomnia
  • 无眠梦魇
  • Не спати
  • Gdy sen nie nadchodzi
  • ערים
  • Ébrenlét
  • Αφύπνιση
+12 more
  • Thức Giấc
  • 無眠夢魘
  • ดับฝันวันสิ้นโลก
  • Uykusuz
  • Nemiegantys
  • Будни
  • Budni
  • Coşmarul realităţii
  • Prebudenie
  • بیداری
  • AWAKE/アウェイク
  • 無眠覺醒

Seen Awake?

FAQ

Awake FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Awake, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Awake?

Awake runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Awake released?

Awake was released on June 9, 2021.

Who directed Awake?

Awake was directed by Mark Raso.

More films by Mark Raso

Who is in the cast of Awake?

Awake stars Gina Rodriguez as Jill, Ariana Greenblatt as Matilda and Frances Fisher as Doris, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Awake make at the box office?

Awake grossed $154,608 worldwide.

How is Awake rated?

Awake has 4.9/10 on IMDb, 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, 35 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Awake have a post-credit scene?

No. Awake has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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