WFG RATING: B+

Bloodstream and Dark Places Productions present a Howling Heart Productions film in association with Amy Laurel Media Ltd. Directed by Wayne Moreheart. Produced by Martin Villeneuve, James Howells, and Amy Laurel Barager. Written by James Howells; story by James Howells and Wayne Moreheart. Cinematography by David McClung. Edited by Jonathan Mathew. 

Stars Mamie Kakimoto, Sarah Crawford, Queen Legend, Bridgit Lee Martin, and Isabel Klapwyk.

A grieving and rebellious teen may be the only one to save a woman from a dangerous entity in this intense directorial debut of Wayne Moreheart.

Since the death of her mother, Rizz has begun exhibiting rebellious behavior. On the day of the funeral, she decides to walk on the railroad tracks, steal beer from the local store, and end up in a bad area of town. While her friend Myles attempts to knock some sense into her, Rizz has no care in the world. However, that is all about to change when the two break into the wrong apartment. 

Thinking no one is in the apartment, they soon discover they are not only not alone, but come across a video message. The woman in the video is the owner of the apartment, April. April is believed to suffer from sleep paralysis. However, the truth is an evil entity has taken over April as the cause of her condition. Rizz and Myles soon realize they may be the only ones who can save April but will it be too late?

From the surface, it seems like this is a supernatural horror film about two girls who must try to save a woman who is under the control of an entity. While that is indeed true, it is more under the surface. It is a story of loss, grievance, and redemption for two of the main characters. It starts out as a slow burn but once the film goes just over halfway in, things begin to kick in gear and the real terror slowly begins along with some revelations.

Mamie Kakimoto delivers a very convincing performance as April, a middle-aged woman who believes she has fallen under the power of an entity, causing her to suffer from sleep paralysis. We see her filming herself on video recollecting about her life as well as letting herself and potentially, the world know that there is something attacking her and is worried that it will consume and ultimately kill her. When we see April in bed in both a daze and attempt to breathe, you can feel like you’re there with her and bring a sense of empathy towards her. 

Sarah Crawford also makes her film debut on the film as Rizz, a girl who lost her mother and feels guilt that she wasn’t there to see her alive in her last moments. The guilt results in her having a rebellious attitude where she doesn’t care what happens. We see Myles, played by Queen Legend, attempt to get through to Rizz, but clearly she isn’t having any of it. Once they break in April’s apartment, it takes some time as it is worth the wait as we learn who or what this entity taking over April is, and how it will affect Rizz and perhaps lead her to finally go down a path of redemption to stop the entity as she may end up becoming the next victim should April succumb to the presence. 

For God’s Sake, Wake Her Up is more than a supernatural horror film but a character study in loss, grievance, guilt, and redemption with that edge to things. The story has a bit of a slow burn, but that’s okay as once things kick in, it gets intense. Mamie Kakimoto and Sarah Crawford are definitely names to look out for! 

You can see the film now exclusively on Bloodstream with a December 1 release date on Demand and on Digital platforms.