A Nightmare Wakes

A Nightmare Wakes is an enchanting yet chilling psychological thriller directed by Nora Unkel and released in 2020. The film's primary cast includes Alix Wilton Regan, Giullian Yao Gioiello, and Claire Glassford. Set in the backdrop of a grimly gorgeous 19th century, the film is a fictionalized account centered around the process and circumstances that led to the creation of the legendary horror novel 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley.

Alix Wilton Regan stars in the lead role as Mary Shelley, who was only in her late teens when she began to pen the classic novel 'Frankenstein.' Regan's performance shines through, as she excellently portrays the trauma, torment, and brilliance of her character. Giullian Yao Gioiello plays the part of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary’s lover and future husband. He flawlessly embodies Percy’s charm and charisma, as well as his misgivings and imperfections. Claire Glassford builds an impressive presence as Claire Clarmont, Mary’s sister and confidante, who stirs the pot as a character.

The film, told through a female lens, starts with Mary and Percy leaving the conventions of polite society and running away together. As they retreat from the societal norms and seek refuge in a lakeside cabin, Mary begins to work on what will eventually become one of the most significant pieces of Gothic literature ever created. However, the events unfolding in the outside world, and the disturbing dreams that soon begin to haunt her, lead Mary on a downwards spiral towards insanity.

Mary’s disturbing visions act as an eerie parallel to the future birth of her legendary creature, 'Frankenstein's Monster.' These nightmarish sequences bring a Gothic horror undertone to the film; as Mary's reality and her wild imagination gradually intertwine until it is almost impossible to tell them apart. More than just a story about the creation of a novel, the film draws heavily on the tragic aspects of Mary's life - her complex relationship with Percy, societal gender expectations, her grieving over lost children, and mental health struggles.

Visual elements play a crucial role in setting the tone and mood of the movie. The film has been thoughtfully painted with somber hues and stark contrasts, delicately mirroring the desolate landscapes of Mary Shelley's own life and mind. Coupled with the occult aesthetics and the claustrophobic confines of the cabin, the visual spectacles invoke a distinctly brooding atmosphere. This cinematic style is accompanied by an intelligently crafted soundscape which uses haunting melodies to build tension and anticipation, breathing life into the monstrous elements of the narrative.

A Nightmare Wakes is a tale of love, loss, and horror interwoven seamlessly into a breathtaking narrative that delves into the brilliant yet tormented mind of a literary genius. Unkel's masterpiece is a complex psychological exploration of a woman’s frightful descent into madness, promising a richly atmospheric horror experience for its audiences.

Giullian Yao Gioiello adds depths to the storyline with a portrayal that oscillates between callous insensitivity and sheer poetry as the story's tragic heartthrob. He becomes the catalyst for Mary's transformation – inflicting wounds that trigger her dreadful nightmares. Claire Glassford, who plays Mary's virtuous and loyal half-sister Claire, infuses crisp excitement into the story, resulting in an intriguingly complicated triangle of relationships that fuels the narrative's suspense.

A Nightmare Wakes pushes the boundary of the Gothic genre by successfully marrying elements of psychological terror with an exploration of human strengths and frailties. The film confronts the audience with the idea of how a human mind, plagued by personal tragedies and emotional upheaval, can conceive a monster that has haunted our collective imagination for centuries.

In essence, A Nightmare Wakes is an intense portrayal of the human condition, both in its raw beauty and terrifying disarray. Through the exploration of Mary’s life, viewers are made privy to the nightmarish voyage that led to the creation of a masterpiece, drawing audiences into a world of horror that is as unknowable as it is fascinating. This film isn't just for horror or history buffs, but anyone who appreciates a carefully crafted narrative that delves into the horrifying depths of the human psyche.