Reawakening (2024)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

After missing for ten years, Clare (Erin Doherty) returns home to her parents, John (Jared Harris) and Mary (Juliet Stevenson). Puzzled by the sudden Reawakening of these old wounds and the questions surrounding her disappearance, this family must traverse the new Hell that has befallen them. 

Framed almost as a mystery, Reawakening forces viewers to ponder a series of questions along with both John and Mary. Why has Clare returned? Why did she disappear at fourteen years old? These questions and more transcend the entirety of Writer-Director Virginia Gilbert’s film, and given the fact that Reawakening moves along incredibly slowly, I feel that it’s necessary that Gilbert required viewers to play along, to become part of the narrative. It’s important to note that the slow burn of Reawakening isn’t a hindrance to the film, but rather a reason for viewers to pay close attention, to observe every minute detail in the hopes that they are provided the tiniest of breadcrumbs in order to solve the mystery of the missing Clare. 

The most intriguing aspect of the entire film is the fact that it revolves around the dark, harrowing experience of two parents, and, yet, the lighting is often bright and vibrant--almost as a promise that something better is on the horizon. Spoiler warning, I’m not entirely sure that we are ever provided anything other than the lighting that signifies something positive coming for this family. With that, I find the choice to juxtapose the tone of Reawakening with the aforementioned lighting intriguing. Is Gilbert attempting to develop levity? Is she hoping to counter the darkness that is ingrained within this narrative? Regardless of the purpose, the juxtapositional lighting works well for the film, as it’s inviting and works to ironically supplement the film as a whole. 

Reawakening doesn’t feel new, with The Deep End of the Ocean doing something similar back in the nineties and Brigsby Bear, more recently, in 2017. That’s not to say that it doesn’t manage to force its way into a unique space that entices viewers and allows them to view the story as new and original. Gilbert, much like her lighting choice, finds ways to set Reawakening apart from the rest of the cinematic world, grounding it, and yet glorifying every bit of the story. Much of the story feels a bit grandiose, but still accessible and honest. Gilbert does a spectacular job of blending tones and styles, creating a unique adventure. 

Reawakening is a decent film that tells the story of grieving parents, often similar to how we’ve seen in the past. However, the film makes enough stylistic choices that it veers from the usual and finds its own way in the world of cinema. Furthermore, Gilbert refuses to let her film remain stagnant in terms of its style or tone, often allowing it to shift in those regards, becoming something bigger and more entertaining. Overall, Reawakening is a dark, yet emotionally lifting cinematic spectacle that questions the bounds of the standard drama, while providing viewers with something familiar and enticing. 

Written & Directed by Virginia Gilbert. 

Starring Jared Harris, Juliet Stevenson, Erin Doherty, etc. 

7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE