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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Awake (2019). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Former U.S. Army medic and recovering addict, Jill Adams, finds herself working as a security guard at a local college, where she resorts to stealing drugs from the research lab for sale. After her shift, she picks up her children, Noah and Matilda, from their grandmother, Doris. However, their troubles escalate when their car unexpectedly loses power and is struck by another vehicle, sending it crashing into a lake. While Matilda nearly drowns, she is miraculously revived by a police officer who reveals that a widespread electrical failure is causing chaos.

At the hospital, the disturbing news sets in that coma patients have inexplicably awoken, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the town. Once they return home, Jill and her family struggle with sleeplessness, and Noah claims to see shooting stars, which Jill rationalizes as satellites. On her way to work, the situation becomes clearer when psychiatrist Dr. Murphy informs her that the residents can no longer fall asleep, leading to impending sleep deprivation symptoms. He mentions a solitary old woman under study at a military base known as The Hub, believed to be the only exception to this phenomenon.

Panicked at the thought of losing Matilda to experiments, Jill races home to find her daughter, only to discover she’s at a church where the pastor is preaching about her as a beacon of hope. As Jill tries to rescue Matilda, chaos ensues when an officer mistakenly kills a doctor, inciting panic among the congregation. In the ensuing fray, Doris successfully manages to hide Matilda, allowing Jill and her children to flee into the woods.

They seek refuge in a garage, where Jill successfully manages to commandeer a car after cleverly eluding two men. As they navigate their way to The Hub, Noah finds a map that could guide them there. In a twist of fate, an escaped prisoner steals their new vehicle, inadvertently taking Matilda along with him. Encountering other escaped inmates who threaten them, they are unexpectedly saved by the man who initially stole their car, Dodge.

Together, Jill, Noah, and Dodge traverse plane wreckage, searching for supplies. Amid the chaos, Jill imparts critical survival skills to Matilda, teaching her how to drive in case the worst happens and she’s left to fend for herself. Their journey towards The Hub is fraught with peril as they fend off dangerous individuals attempting to harm them.

Eventually, they arrive at The Hub, but Jill decides to send Dodge away with the car for his safety. Disguised as a lab worker, she infiltrates the facility in search of the other woman capable of sleep. There, she finds her in a dire state of health and learns that hope for a cure is bleak. Desperate for answers, she tries to convince this woman to protect Matilda, only to learn that the research being conducted involves using a drug that merely masks the symptoms of their condition, leaving horrific neurological damage in its wake.

Under mounting pressure, the army confronts Jill and her family, leading to Matilda tearfully confessing that she can still sleep. As the studies proceed, they uncover that the unique property allowing Matilda to sleep stems from a solar flare that had disrupted their brain functions. In a heart-wrenching twist, the experimentations lead to tragic outcomes, including the death of the woman who could sleep.

In a climactic confrontation, as soldiers descend into chaos, Jill and Matilda make a daring escape, but not without heartbreak. As they attempt to revive Noah, who is caught in a deadly hallucination, time is of the essence. In a shocking conclusion, it’s discovered that the reason the children could sleep was that they both briefly experienced death, leading to a haunting reality as they drown Jill only to resuscitate her, awakening just as the camera frames her eye before cutting to credits.

Timeline

Track the key events of Awake (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Jill's Struggles Begin

Jill Adams, a former U.S. Army medic and recovering addict, starts working as a security guard at a local college. Desperate to cope with her situation, she resorts to stealing drugs from the research lab to sell.

College

Car Trouble

After her shift, Jill picks up her children, Noah and Matilda, from their grandmother Doris. While driving, their car unexpectedly loses power and is struck by another vehicle, causing a disastrous crash into a lake.

Lakeside

Miraculous Rescue

In a harrowing situation, Matilda nearly drowns but is miraculously saved by a police officer. This incident is amidst a broader chaos in the town due to a widespread electrical failure affecting residents.

Lake

Strange Awakenings

While at the hospital, strange news emerges of coma patients inexplicably waking up, adding to the surreal atmosphere. Jill returns home to find her family struggling with sleep deprivation and Noah claiming to see shooting stars.

Hospital

A Doctor's Warning

On her way to work, Jill meets psychiatrist Dr. Murphy, who reveals that the residents can no longer sleep and are experiencing severe symptoms. He mentions a woman at a military base known as The Hub, who is the only exception to this odd phenomenon.

Psychiatrist's Office

Chaos at the Church

Jill learns that Matilda is at a church where a pastor is preaching about her as a symbol of hope. As Jill attempts to save Matilda, panic erupts when an officer accidentally kills a doctor, leading to chaos among the congregation.

Church

Fleeing into the Woods

In the midst of the tumult, Doris hides Matilda, enabling Jill and her kids to escape into the woods. Seeking refuge in a garage, Jill cleverly commandeers a car, attempting to evade pursuers.

Woods

Guided by a Map

As they drive towards The Hub, Noah discovers a map that could lead them to safety. However, a turn of events sees an escaped prisoner stealing their new vehicle, taking Matilda with him.

Road

Unexpected Help

While in pursuit of Matilda, Jill's group encounters other escaped inmates threatening their safety. Just as things look dire, they are unexpectedly rescued by Dodge, the man who stole their car.

Abandoned Site

Survival Skills

As they navigate through plane wreckage, Jill teaches Matilda essential survival skills, including how to drive in case she needs to fend for herself. The journey grows increasingly perilous as they face multiple dangers.

Wreckage Field

Infiltration of The Hub

Upon reaching The Hub, Jill makes the decision to send Dodge away for his safety. Disguised as a lab worker, she sneaks into the facility, desperate to find the woman who can sleep.

The Hub

Bleak Discoveries

Inside The Hub, Jill discovers the woman capable of sleep is in a dire state, and the research offers little hope for a cure. She learns that the experiments involve drugs that only mask the symptoms, causing further neurological damage.

The Hub

The Army Confronts Jill

As tensions escalate, Jill's family faces the military's scrutiny. In a pivotal moment, Matilda reveals that she can still sleep, shocking the authorities as they learn it stems from a solar flare affecting brain functions.

The Hub

Heartbreaking Consequences

As the situation spirals out of control, the experimentations lead to tragic outcomes, including the death of the one person who could sleep. This grim realization weighs heavily on Jill and her family.

The Hub

A Daring Escape

In a climactic moment, as soldiers descend into chaos, Jill makes a desperate escape with Matilda. In an emotional finale, they learn that the children could sleep only because they briefly experienced death, leading to a heart-wrenching conclusion.

The Hub

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Awake (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Jill Adams

Jill is a determined former U.S. Army medic struggling with addiction while trying to care for her children. She exhibits intense bravery as she navigates through life-threatening situations, showcasing her maternal instincts. Her journey reveals her resilience, shifting from desperation to empowerment as she fights for her family's survival.

πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Mother πŸ’ͺ Resilience βš”οΈ Fighter

Matilda

Matilda, Jill's daughter, embodies innocence amidst chaos. She is portrayed as vulnerable yet strong, discovering her capacity to cope with terrifying experiences. Her struggle with the new reality reveals her unique ability to sleep, positioning her as a beacon of hope in the narrative.

πŸ‘§ Vulnerability πŸŒ™ Hope πŸ’€ Sleep

Noah

Noah, Jill's son, showcases curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world, even as he faces grave dangers. His experiences reflect the impact of trauma on children, oscillating between fear and a childlike hope. His claims of seeing shooting stars add a layer of innocence to the dire situation.

πŸ‘¦ Innocence 🌟 Curiosity 😨 Fear

Dr. Murphy

Dr. Murphy is a psychiatrist who provides crucial insights about the sleep epidemic haunting the town. His character represents the struggle of professionals grappling with overwhelming circumstances and the pressure to find solutions. He becomes a key figure in guiding Jill through the unfolding chaos.

πŸ‘¨β€βš•οΈ Professional πŸ“š Knowledge πŸ” Guidance

Dodge

Dodge, an initially antagonistic character, transforms into an unexpected ally in Jill's journey. His actions are driven by instinct and survival, showcasing his complex nature amidst the chaos. Through his character, themes of redemption and unexpected camaraderie emerge.

πŸš— Survivor πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ Ally πŸ”„ Redemption

Setting

Uncover the settings of Awake (2019), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The events of the film seem to unfold in a contemporary setting, marked by modern issues such as addiction and a local catastrophe. The phenomenon of widespread sleeplessness creates a pressing sense of urgency throughout the narrative, reflecting the fragility of human life.

Location

Local College, Lake, The Hub, Woods, Church

The movie takes place in various locations, including a local college where Jill works as a security guard. A pivotal scene occurs at a lake where a tragic car accident takes place. The Hub serves as a crucial research facility tied to the bizarre phenomena affecting the townspeople. The woods serve as a refuge for Jill and her children, away from the chaos. A church becomes a significant setting where the community gathers and panic ensues.

🏫 College 🌊 Lake 🏒 Research Facility 🌲 Woods β›ͺ Church

Themes

Explore the core themes of Awake (2019). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🌌

Survival

Survival is the central theme as Jill struggles against overwhelming odds to protect her children. The narrative illustrates the lengths a mother will go to in order to ensure her family's safety amidst chaos. Each obstacle they face tests their resilience, emphasizing the primal instinct to survive and protect loved ones.

πŸ’”

Sacrifice

Sacrifice emerges as a painful but necessary theme, with Jill making tough decisions for the sake of her children's safety. The heartbreaking choices involving life and death echo the theme of parental sacrifice, where the stakes escalate to protect those they love. The narrative culminates in the ultimate sacrifice that tests familial bonds.

🧠

Psychological Trauma

The film delves deeply into psychological trauma as characters grapple with the fear of losing their children's safety. This theme is portrayed through experiences of hallucinations and sleep deprivation, creating a surreal atmosphere. It highlights the psychological implications of catastrophe and the fight to maintain sanity amid chaos.

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