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What's After the Movie?
Drama thriller

Before I Wake (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Before I Wake (2018) movie poster

Before I Wake is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Mike Flanagan, starring Kate Bosworth as Jessie, Thomas Jane and Jacob Tremblay. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $16.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
worldwide gross
$16.4M
Echo Score
80
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Before I Wake (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Mike Flanagan
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Fantasy , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Before I Wake About?

The premise of Before I Wake without spoilers.

After Jessie and Mark adopt Cody, they discover his dreams spill into reality, bringing terrifying visions into their home. As the line between fantasy and nightmare blurs, they struggle to understand the source of Cody's haunting dreams and the dark forces they unleash. To protect their new family and confront the escalating terror, Jessie and Mark must unravel the mystery behind Cody's subconscious before it consumes them all.

Before I Wake Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • dream
  • monster
  • nightmare
  • supernatural power
  • boy
  • little boy
  • christmas tree
  • train set
  • reference to santa claus
  • mother
  • foster mother
  • foster father
+27 more
  • supernatural gift
  • nightmare comes to life
  • pushed to the ground
  • trying to stay awake
  • stimulant
  • sleeping pill
  • vomit
  • moth
  • carrying a child
  • carrying someone
  • race car bed
  • bedroom
  • child's bedroom
  • curtain
  • falling asleep
  • sleep
  • sleep is dangerous
  • no opening credits
  • director cameo
  • supernatural horror
  • cancer
  • subconscious
  • butterfly
  • adoption
  • christmas
  • bully
  • christmas present
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Cast & crew

Before I Wake Cast & Characters

Kate Bosworth leads the cast as Jessie, with Thomas Jane as Mark and Jacob Tremblay as Cody. Directed by Mike Flanagan; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Before I Wake

· 6 more
From the director

More from Mike Flanagan

More films directed by Mike Flanagan, best-rated first: Gerald's Game, The Life of Chuck, Doctor Sleep and Hush.

Full filmography
Ratings

Before I Wake Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Before I Wake 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (70).

80 /100

Before I Wake Echo Score Breakdown

The film impresses with its strong visual and auditory design but struggles with uneven pacing and occasional narrative inconsistencies. Reviewers highlight its meditative cinematography, thoughtful direction, and emotionally resonant performances that anchor the supernatural premise. However, repetitive middle acts and moments of logical lapse in dream logic draw mixed reactions about cohesion. While the thematic ambition and atmospheric tension are widely praised, unresolved plot threads temper the overall impact. Overall, the combination of technical craft and emotional depth outweighs structural flaws.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film exhibits a strong visual palette and confident direction. Reviews highlight thoughtful composition, deliberate production design, and clean editing that underscore the dreamlike atmosphere. Cinematography is frequently described as meditative and straightforward in its presentation. Overall, the film’s technical workmanship consistently enhances its evocative tone and thematic ambitions.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film presents nuanced performances that convey genuine anguish and longing. The lead actors receive frequent praise for emotional resonance and chemistry, supported by thoughtful touches in supporting roles. At times, secondary characters feel underdeveloped or deliver uneven dialogue, limiting relatability in certain scenes. Overall, the emotional core remains compelling despite occasional stiffness.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film offers an original premise with thematic richness centered on grief and imagination. Many reviewers appreciate the emotional stakes and surprising narrative turns, while others note repetitive investigation scenes and illogical dream sequences that weaken cohesion. Pacing frequently lags in the middle acts, and the ending leaves some questions unresolved. Overall, the narrative ambition is notable but uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film delivers immersive sound design and an evocative score that heighten tension in horror sequences. Visual effects and practical makeup are cited as effective in creating an unsettling atmosphere, while color shifts underscore emotional beats. The balance between quieter dramatic moments and sudden scares is handled with care. Overall, the aural and visual textures strongly reinforce the film’s haunting tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers layered imagery and emotional subtleties that reward subsequent viewings. Several viewers note new symbolic details in dream sequences and deeper appreciation of thematic parallels on re-examination. However, the sense of unresolved narrative elements can diminish enthusiasm for repeat watches. Overall, the film maintains lasting appeal through its poetic atmosphere and emotional resonance.

Box office

Before I Wake Box Office

Before I Wake grossed $16.4 million worldwide. $12.2 million came from the US and Canada and $4.1 million (25%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.4M

US & Canada
$12.2M
International
$4.1M
US & Canada 75% Rest of the world 25%
Videos

Before I Wake Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

Before I Wake - Official Trailer [HD]
  • Trailer Before I Wake | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Teaser Before I Wake - Commercial 1 [HD]
Cars

Cars in Before I Wake

3 cars on screen, including the 1998 Ford Explorer and the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country.

  • 1998 Ford Explorer in Before I Wake 1998 Ford Explorer Important role
  • 2011 Chrysler Town & Country in Before I Wake 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Minor role
  • 1992 International 4000-Series in Before I Wake 1992 International 4000-Series Minor role
Details

Before I Wake Also Known As

Also known as “Yume ga Sameru made”.

Also known as
  • Yume ga Sameru made

Seen Before I Wake?

FAQ

Before I Wake FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Before I Wake?

Before I Wake runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Before I Wake released?

Before I Wake was released on January 5, 2018.

Who directed Before I Wake?

Before I Wake was directed by Mike Flanagan.

More films by Mike Flanagan

Who is in the cast of Before I Wake?

Before I Wake stars Kate Bosworth as Jessie, Thomas Jane as Mark and Jacob Tremblay as Cody, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Before I Wake make at the box office?

Before I Wake grossed $16.4 million worldwide ($12.2 million domestic, $4.1 million international).

How is Before I Wake rated?

Before I Wake has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Before I Wake have a post-credit scene?

No. Before I Wake has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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