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Crime thriller

The Minute You Wake Up Dead (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Minute You Wake Up Dead (2022) movie poster

The Minute You Wake Up Dead is a 2022 crime thriller directed by Michael Mailer, starring Morgan Freeman as Sheriff Thurmond Fowler, Jaimie Alexander and Darren Mann. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $35,162 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 33/100.

worldwide gross
$35.2K
Echo Score
33
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The Minute You Wake Up Dead (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Michael Mailer
Genres
Thriller , Crime , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Minute You Wake Up Dead About?

The premise of The Minute You Wake Up Dead without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A stockbroker in a quiet southern town becomes entangled in an insurance scheme with his neighbor, which quickly escalates into a series of murders. As more people become involved in the dangerous plot, the town's steadfast sheriff, Thurmond Fowler, investigates the growing mystery. He is determined to uphold the law and unravel the truth, but soon finds himself facing a complex situation and uncovering more than he initially expected.

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Cast & crew

The Minute You Wake Up Dead Cast & Characters

Morgan Freeman leads the cast as Sheriff Thurmond Fowler, with Jaimie Alexander as Delaine and Darren Mann as Lucius. Directed by Michael Mailer; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Minute You Wake Up Dead

· 10 more
From the director

More from Michael Mailer

More films directed by Michael Mailer, best-rated first: Heart of Champions and Blind.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Minute You Wake Up Dead Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 33/100, strongest in story & flow (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).

33 /100

The Minute You Wake Up Dead Echo Score Breakdown

The Minute You Wake Up Dead garners a largely unfavorable reception, with most reviewers criticizing its execution while noting isolated strengths in occasional twists and brief performances by Morgan Freeman. The film’s direction, acting, and technical elements are described as sub‑par, leading to a predictable and unsatisfying conclusion. Consequently, its overall appeal and lasting impact are minimal. The consensus suggests the movie fails to deliver a cohesive experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, the film suffers from uneven direction and uninspired visual composition. Reviewers repeatedly describe the cinematography as poorly lit, reminiscent of low‑budget VHS productions, while editing appears rushed, especially in the climax. A few comments note occasional competent shots and a decent score, but the overall technical execution remains substandard.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When examining character and emotion, performances are largely seen as inconsistent. While Morgan Freeman’s brief presence receives mild acknowledgment, most supporting actors are criticized for flat delivery and lack of chemistry, with several reviewers calling certain portrayals laughable. A minority note occasional engaging moments, yet the predominant view is that character depth and emotional resonance are insufficient.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow receive mixed reactions, with some viewers appreciating the occasional twist and whodunnit structure, while others label the plot as predictable and riddled with holes. Pacing is described as uneven, accelerating midway only to falter in a hurried conclusion. Overall, the narrative is viewed as lacking cohesion and originality, diminishing engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    Sensory experience is largely criticized for its subpar audio and visual elements. Reviewers point out mismatched dubbing, a soundtrack that fails to complement the mood, and a cinematographic style that lacks texture and atmosphere. While one comment acknowledges a decent score, the consensus is that sound design and overall aesthetic fall short of genre expectations.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    Rewatch factor is low, as most reviewers indicate little desire to view the film again. The unpredictable twists are outweighed by the overall disappointment, with many describing the ending as unsatisfying and the experience as forgettable. A few find occasional amusement, but the prevailing sentiment suggests limited lasting appeal.

Plot

The Minute You Wake Up Dead Plot Summary

What happens in The Minute You Wake Up Dead from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Stockbroker Russ has recently returned to his childhood home, Bare Hollow, Mississippi, where locals have secretly made money from his stock tips, but his latest merger advice falls flat and costs many residents their savings.

He is renting the house next door to local waitress Delaine, Jaimie Alexander. The pair begin a tense, intimate relationship that unsettles the town and unsettles Russ himself.

Local petty criminal Lucius, Darren Mann, murders Delaine’s father, who is battling cancer. Despite her feigned sadness, Delaine has maneuvered Lucius into a sexual relationship and had him kill her father for the $550,000 life insurance settlement.

Sheriff Fowler, Morgan Freeman, quickly narrows the investigation to Lucius, and Delaine responds by killing her hapless lover—her second murder.

Full summary

The whole story of The Minute You Wake Up Dead, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Minute You Wake Up Dead Box Office

The Minute You Wake Up Dead grossed $35,162 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$35.2K

International
$35.2K
Videos

The Minute You Wake Up Dead Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Clip The Minute You Wake Up Dead (2022 Movie) Official Clip 'Coming For You' - Cole Hauser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Minute You Wake Up Dead?

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 the profession of the main male character, Russ?

Cars

Cars in The Minute You Wake Up Dead

25 cars on screen, including the 2004 BMW X5 E53 and the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV.

All 25 cars
  • 2004 BMW X5 E53 in The Minute You Wake Up Dead 2004 BMW X5 E53 Main role
  • 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV in The Minute You Wake Up Dead 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Main role
  • 2005 Honda Accord in The Minute You Wake Up Dead 2005 Honda Accord Main role
  • 1992 Chevrolet Blazer in The Minute You Wake Up Dead 1992 Chevrolet Blazer Important role
Details

The Minute You Wake Up Dead Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “وقتی که مرده به هوش می‌آیی” and “وقتی مرده از خواب برمی‌خیزی”.

Also known as
  • وقتی که مرده به هوش می‌آیی
  • وقتی مرده از خواب برمی‌خیزی
  • La sombra del crimen
  • Wenn du nach dem Tod erwachst
  • Ve chvíli, kdy se probudíš mrtvý
  • Minuta po śmierci
  • Хвилина, коли ти прокинешся мертвим
  • 醒来即死亡
  • Минута, когда ты проснешься мертвым
  • הרגע בו אתה מתעורר מת
  • Onog trenutka kada se probudiš mrtav
  • 醒來即死亡
+5 more
  • A perc, mikor holtan ébredsz
  • لحظه‌ای که مرده به هوش می‌آیی
  • Lorsque vous vous réveillez mort
  • Mississippi Secrets - The Minute You Wake Up Dead
  • V okamihu, keď sa prebudíš mŕtvy

Seen The Minute You Wake Up Dead?

FAQ

The Minute You Wake Up Dead FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Minute You Wake Up Dead, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Minute You Wake Up Dead?

The Minute You Wake Up Dead runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was The Minute You Wake Up Dead released?

The Minute You Wake Up Dead was released on November 4, 2022.

Who directed The Minute You Wake Up Dead?

The Minute You Wake Up Dead was directed by Michael Mailer.

More films by Michael Mailer

Who is in the cast of The Minute You Wake Up Dead?

The Minute You Wake Up Dead stars Morgan Freeman as Sheriff Thurmond Fowler, Jaimie Alexander as Delaine and Darren Mann as Lucius, among 14 credited actors.

How much did The Minute You Wake Up Dead make at the box office?

The Minute You Wake Up Dead grossed $35,162 worldwide.

Does The Minute You Wake Up Dead have a post-credit scene?

No. The Minute You Wake Up Dead has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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