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Awake

(2007, Rated R, Thriller, Starring Lena Olin, Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    1.0
  • Common Sense says

    Silly surgery thriller is bloody, convoluted.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 15 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Scheming, careless doctors; anesthesiologist drinks on the job; an accidental murder appears in a flashback; mother and son relationship at first seems too intimate and codependent.
  • Violence:

    Much bloody and yucky imagery related to surgery. Incisions show blood, organs, and internal goo; operation shows rib separator, cuts into heart; bloody surgeons' gloves. As Clay is "anesthetically aware" during surgery, he yells, screams, and expresses much pain. Clay and Lilith discuss his memories of his father's death. A character is hit with a fireplace poker; the body falls over a balcony, and there's a shot of the crumpled corpse on the floor three stories below. Suicide by pill overdose (body shown). When the cops arrest a woman, they smash her face against the floor.
  • Sex:

    Clayton appears in bathtub, then pulls Sam in with him (they engage in "sexy" talk during the seduction, such as "I was picturing you soaking wet with all your clothes on"). They kiss and embrace passionately before the scene cuts (sex is implied). They stand side by side in front of a mirror, naked; she's brushing her teeth, and the outline of her naked breast is visible. Several scenes show passionate kissing between the two, and at least one other scene shows the side of her breast. She appears in her bra and underwear beneath Clay as they kiss, preparing for sex -- but the scene cuts away before they get all their clothes off.
  • Language:

    Many uses of "f--k" and "s--t" (some with "bull"); other language includes "hell," "ass," "damn," and "son of a bitch."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Lots of prescription pills are taken and shown in bottles (Clay has a heart condition). Minor cigarette smoking. Drinking and toasting (one hallucination includes a room full of schoolboys lifting wine glasses in a toast). An anesthesiologist drinks from a flask during surgery. A drunken character snorts cocaine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Awake

Parents need to know that even though this grim thriller stars teen favorites Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba, it isn't meant for kids. There are many scenes of bloody open-heart surgery, with some explicit sound effects (cutting, sawing, ribcage cracking). Because Clay is conscious and feels pain during the surgery, there are some gruesome parts in which he internally screams, swears, and makes noises; it's essentially grisly torture (not unlike what passes for plot in the Saw movies). There are several kissing scenes, two of which lead to sex (though more is implied than shown). Expect lots of prescription medication use, some smoking (and discussion of it being bad for you) and drinking, and many uses of both "f--k" and "s--t."

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what makes a movie a thriller. Do you think this qualifies? Why? What characteristics do most thrillers have in common? Families can also discuss what -- if anything -- the characters in the movie learn. How would you describe the movie's version of morality? Are the characters' sacrifices worth it?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Good movie but now I don't EVER wanna have surgery!

    I thought this was a very good movie but when I figured out the big secret I was like ' NOOOOO'. I really like Jessica Alba so you get it! the only gory bit was at the start but apart from that the movie was really good. not for kids under 12 years old though.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Love It!

    This movie tells the story of a wealthy socialite that needs open heart surgery. We the anasetesia does not work he can hear and fell ever thing happening around him (though he is paraylzed) including an plot to have him killed. I think it is okay for kids my age if they are mature!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 4.0

    For a movie centered around an open-heart surgery, it was much less bloody then I assumed it would be. Aside from one close-up shot of the first incision, there is practically no violence at all. On the other hand, the language is WAY too excessive. Someone cusses at least once every three minutes, and that's before they get to the operating room. After the operation starts there's around two obscenities per sentence. At least four "G" words were used, and literally dozens of times when obscenities were said (or yelled). The sexual innuendo isn't as strong as the language, but it's still a bit excessive. Also, the ending is very sad and tragic, and most kids will find it very upsetting.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    realistic!!!

    Awake was a really cool movie,i wanted to see it ever since it was in theaters. The characters were real and decieving it showed what really happened during surgery as well as the characters emotions and state of mind. There wasn't a lot of violence(as in fighting) but there was some blood and a heart shown but it was real it wasn't murdering people. There were several uses of the word f--k but it was totoally needed, b//c unfortunatley he was awake and i would say exactly what he said. But, i do have to say that some of the kissing scenes weren't needed in the movie to make it a good medical thriller. (no nudity) i think it was interesting with a good ending and is okay for any mature teen 13+!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Completely fun/twists you haven't seen before

    Really enjoyed this movie. Truly fun/riveting stuff. if you missed it in theaters, get it on dvd!

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    It was hard to stay Awake...

    I've heard alot of critics totally bash this movie, and I don't know why. The film is just OK, that is true, but I don't think it deserves to TOTALLY bomb. The acting was wooden, the storyline dragged, and yet...the twists still got me. The ending was actually pretty good, and even though Jessica Alba's hotness went to waste (no nudity, parents), I still think this movie was worthwhile...keeping in mind that 'worthwhile' means about 80 minutes, and that ain't a long time. As for the violence in the film - it really isn't "violent", just very yucky at times.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    2 plot twists in 1 movie? Awesome

    This is a thriller that will undoubtebly be under-appreciated. I honestly dont see whats so bad about it. It has one star for what? It's got an amazing plot and a cool surreal "before death scene." Its really well thought out and expressed. I felt chills and betrayed and I felt pain like the character did. The drug use is medication or neccesary for the plot and the violence is just surgery which you can see on the Discovery Channel and a brief hit on the head with a metal firestick. there is no sex only kisses and language... well it... ok there is language but hey... its everywhere. WATCH THIS MOVIE!

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 1.0

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    Wonderfully Suspenseful

    Like Roger Ebert, I was enthralled by the plot. A good old fashioned Hitchcock-like thriller. Hayden Christesen and Jessica Alba were marvolous in thier roles!

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