A Surgeon’s Worst Nightmare: Awake Movie Review
Photo from Prime Video.
Each year, over 21,000,000 people receive general anesthesia.
The vast majority go to sleep peacefully.
They remember nothing.
30,000 of these patients are not so fortunate.
They find themselves unable to sleep.
Trapped in a phenomenon known as anesthesia awareness.
These victims are completely paralyzed. They cannot scream for help.
They are awake.
— Title Cards of Awake (2007)
After watching Awake for the first time, I was surprised that it was only an hour and 24 minutes long. It’s one of those movies that is so immersive it feels longer than it really is.
About
Awake stars Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, and Lena Olin for a psychological thriller. The plot twists are plentiful, and betrayal cuts deep.
Plot
Set in New York City, Hayden Christensen plays Clay Beresford, a wealthy business tycoon. He has to undergo heart transplant surgery, choose between his friend and his mother’s wishes, and find time to marry Sam Lockwood, all on top of his bustling business life. The surgery Clay is undergoing has a 50% fail rate resulting in death. While his mother wants him to go under an old family friend’s operating table, Clay insists on allowing his friend—Dr. Jack Harper—to perform his surgery, even if Jack is less experienced than the former.
The movie is set in a few days' time. Sam is hurt that she’s had to hide her engagement ring for six months from Clay’s mother. A few hours after marrying Sam in the middle of the night, Clay undergoes surgery.
As the anesthesia kicks in, his eyes close. However, it doesn’t take long for Clay to realize that something’s wrong. He can still hear and feel, undergoing immense pain as his chest is cut open for the transplant.
As Clay can still hear the surgeons, he becomes aware of a conspiracy that makes him rethink everything.
Overall Thoughts
Although I can’t say much without spoiling the movie, Awake was definitely a memorable watch that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. I found myself tense—in a good way—for the majority of the movie.
I do wish there was more of an epilogue, as it didn’t feel very full-circle when the movie ended. It just seemed like as the plot progressed, viewers were taken down a deeper and darker hole—a trademark of psychological thrillers. However, that’s also the beauty of Awake and many films with similar endings. The future of the film is up to the viewer’s own interpretation.
If you like movies or plots with conspiracies, medical malpractice, and psychological thrillers, Awake is right up your alley!
