After She Wakes

After She Wakes is a 2019 American thriller-horror movie that is designed to captivate audiences who enjoy suspenses with a supernatural touch. Directed by David Arthur Clark and starring Stella Carlish, Conrad Goode, and Nicola Lambo, the film expertly weaves together themes of psychological disorder, tension, fear, and the supernatural to create an atmosphere that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The protagonist of the film is Mikaela (Stella Carlish), a young woman who suffers from paralysing narcolepsy and terrifying hypnagogic hallucinations as a result of her husband's tragic death. Her condition is so severe that she is unable to take care of her young daughter, whose safety is threatened by Mikaela’s frequent unconscious phases. Mikaela's fears heighten as her conditions complicate and her nightmares bleed into her reality, creating an unbearably tense atmosphere that keeps the audience hooked to their screens.

Conrad Goode’s performance as the therapist who attempts to mitigate Mikaela’s suffers creates an intricate complexity within the plot. His character is unfathomable and provocative, keeping viewers guessing his motives and adding a distinct layer of suspense to the film.

Nicola Lambo adds a different colour to the narrative with her role. As devoid of personal motive and simply attending to her duties, her character builds on the realism and palpable tension within the film, subtly exacerbating the uncertainties around Mikaela’s condition.

The plot of After She Wakes happens mainly in the confines of Mikaela’s house, limiting the overall scope but simultaneously enhancing the claustrophobic atmosphere that is central to the film. The movie uses its setting brilliantly, turning the mundane into something eerie and odd. Director Clark's skill in manipulating light and shadow, coupled with the minimal cast, amplifies the film's intense moments and centralizes attention on Mikaela’s unstable psyche.

The screenplay balances real-life dread with supernatural elements, a move that is refreshing and unique within the horror genre. Clark uses this approach to plunge the viewers right into the protagonist’s experiences – her dread of sleep, her fear for her daughter, and her confusion between reality and nightmare. The constant alternation between normalcy and uncanny keeps the viewers both bewildered and hooked.

With a sharp, clever script, emotive acting, and expertly designed suspense sequences, After She Wakes unfolds like a disturbing dream that rapidly turns into a nightmare. Stellar performances by the cast, especially Stella Carlish's moving portrayal of fear, desperation, and determination, provide a tragic and harrowing depth to Mikaela's character.

Conrad Goode perfectly brings out the enigmatic therapist's role, keeping viewers in the dark about his character's intentions until the film's climax. The baffling, provocative relationship between Mikaela and her therapist serves to keep the audience questioning until the end, making for a thrilling cinematic experience.

The sound design and cinematography also deserve a special mention. The symphonic, dissonant score, punctuated by eerie silences, echoes Mikaela's chaotic mental state, significantly contributing to the overall unsettling tone of the movie. The visuals, with dominating shadows and unsettling close-ups, underline her fears, making them almost palpable.

All in all, After She Wakes are for those who love a well-made psychological horror imbued with an ominous, supernatural flavor. This movie combines intense drama and fear elements in such a way that keeps viewers on the edge, consistently unsure of what's lurking around the corner and questioning reality along with Mikaela. If you're a fan of gripping, character-driven horror films that mix the psychological with the supernatural, After She Wakes is an intelligent, suspenseful, and well-crafted film that shouldn't be missed.