Everyone could use a little more sleep. Those who have pulled all-nighters in college or been woken up by young children in the middle of the night know that not getting enough sleep can have detrimental effects and lead to lapses in judgment. But what if no one was able to sleep at all, and society began to devolve as a result?
That’s the premise of the new Netflix film Awake, which follows Jill (Gina Rodriguez), a former soldier who will do anything she needs in order to protect her children when an unknown event fries the world’s electronics and, as a result, doesn’t allow anyone to sleep. Part post-apocalyptic thriller, part family drama, this film explores the fragility of the human mind and the lengths one mother will go to so that her family can survive.
I had the chance to speak with director Mark Raso, who delivers his third feature film after Copenhagen and Kodachrome, about his approach to this subject matter and releasing this film right now. You can watch the video below, along with an official summary of the film and where to watch.
Film summary:
Global hysteria ensues after a mysterious catastrophe wipes out all electronics and takes away humanity’s ability to sleep. Scientists race against the clock to find a cure for the unexplained insomnia before its fatal effects eliminate the human race. When Jill, a former soldier, discovers her young daughter may be the key to salvation, she must decide: protect her children at all costs or sacrifice everything to save the world.
Here’s the trailer for the film.
Awake premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, June 9th.