Struggling with finding something to watch tonight, I found myself scrolling through Netflix’s catalogue of movies and stumbled upon a 2021 Netflix Original called Awake.

Synopsis

Starring Gina Rodriguez, best known for her portrayal of Jane Villanueva in the 2014 TV drama “Jane the Virgin,” Rodriguez plays Jill, an ex-soldier with a troubled past who is struggling to raise her two children. After a global event wipes out all electronics and causes humanity to lose its ability to sleep, Jill fights to protect her family and find a solution. Along the way, she discovers that her daughter, Matilda, portrayed by the young actress Ariana Greenblatt, may hold the key to a cure. 

You may recognize Greenblatt from her roles as young Gamora in the 2018 blockbuster “Avengers: Infinity War,” Sasha from “Barbie” (2023), and young Ahsoka in Disney’s “Ahsoka” mini-series (2023). Together, they embark on a journey that could potentially restore the world’s sleep patterns. The film delves into themes of survival, family dynamics, and the dire consequences of a sleep-deprived world.  

What Went Wrong

Honestly, I am typing this review immediately after finishing the film, and although I wasn’t struggling to stay awake during the film I am however struggling to recall its content. Don’t get me wrong; it’s entertaining but ultimately forgettable. The story lacks depth, despite having all the ingredients for a compelling post-apocalyptic tale. Instead of delving deeper, the film merely skims the surface, seemingly hesitant to commit to a single genre. While I understand that films can blend genres, with a runtime of only 96 minutes, this movie appears torn between being a post-apocalyptic drama, science fiction, thriller, mystery, action/adventure, or disaster film. As a result, I found it challenging to immerse myself fully in its world.

Speaking of forgettable elements, I neglected to mention in the synopsis that Matilda has a brother named Noah, portrayed by Lucius Hoyos. Frankly, it seems as though the film itself almost forgets about his character. In my honest opinion, the movie could have entirely removed his character and instead focused solely on the mother-daughter dynamic. By doing so, the film could have abandoned its attempts to blend genres and instead transformed into a story reminiscent of “Lone Wolf and Cub.””

While there are several aspects of this film that fell short, I prefer not to dwell solely on its shortcomings but rather to highlight its strengths. Before doing so, however, I must acknowledge that as television shows increasingly rival films in terms of quality, it’s becoming more challenging to tell a fully fleshed-out story within a 90-minute timeframe. Given this trend, I believe that new intellectual properties (IP), especially those in the sci-fi genre, should either opt for a longer runtime or consider developing them as television series.

What Went Right

Gina Rodriguez and Ariana Greenblatt were undoubtedly the standout performers in this film. Rodriguez’s ability to portray a mother whose sole mission is to protect her daughter and son amid a rapidly spiralling world into anarchy is commendable. She convincingly depicted Jill’s deteriorating mental state due to sleep deprivation, while still presenting her as a strong, formidable, yet vulnerable and deeply concerned mother for her daughter’s safety. 

For such a young actress, Greenblatt’s ability to portray Matilda as a naive, curious, and ultimately hopeful character was truly captivating. Throughout the film, she consistently showcased heart-wrenching emotions, delivering standout performances every time. Having been a fan of her work in the Ahsoka series, this film solidifies my belief that Greenblatt is an actress to watch closely. To echo a sentiment from the Star Wars universe, as Shiv Palpatine might say, “We will watch your career with great interest.”

The CGI and action set pieces in this film were impressive. The movie often employed POV camera angles/shots and long takes, either with hidden cuts or none at all. These techniques effectively immersed me as a viewer, whether I was with Jill sneaking around a mechanic’s garage, narrowly evading enemies, or in the backseat of a car. Amidst shattered glass, attempting to navigate through a blockade of sleep-deprived, angry people attempting to steal our vehicle.  

Conclusion  

In conclusion, will this film win any awards? No. Is it predictable and sometimes lacking depth? Yes. However, despite these shortcomings, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. With commendable performances, impressive CGI, and engaging action set pieces, it’s definitely worth watching. Whether you’re looking to turn off your brain for 90 minutes and unwind with a post-apocalyptic action film or simply need background entertainment while cooking, I recommend the Netflix Original 2021 film, “Awake.”

Cheers.