Before I Wake (2016)

Mike Flanagan’s Before I Wake is a blend of horror, fantasy, and emotional drama that focuses on grief, trauma, and the supernatural. Unlike traditional horror, this film uses nightmares and dreams as storytelling devices, creating a unique mix of tenderness and terror.

Detailed Summary

The Adoption of Cody

Jessie (Kate Bosworth) and Mark (Thomas Jane) adopt an 8-year-old boy named Cody (Jacob Tremblay). They are grieving the death of their biological son, Sean, who drowned in the bathtub. Cody seems like a sweet child, but he has an unusual habit: he resists sleep at all costs, fueled by his fear of nightmares.

The Beautiful Dreams

When Cody finally falls asleep, his dreams manifest in reality. At first, Jessie and Mark are mesmerized—glowing butterflies appear in their living room, filling the house with wonder. Soon after, Cody dreams of Sean, allowing Jessie to “see” her dead child again. Jessie becomes obsessed with making Cody sleep so she can see Sean more often.

The Nightmares and the “Canker Man”

Cody’s fears, however, are just as real as his dreams. A monstrous figure called the “Canker Man” emerges whenever Cody has nightmares. It devours people, leaving no trace of them behind. Mark becomes increasingly uneasy about the dangers Cody brings into the house. Jessie, however, is blinded by grief and continues pushing Cody to sleep.

Escalating Horror

The Canker Man appears multiple times, feeding on Cody’s fear. During one incident at school, Cody falls asleep and the Canker Man attacks his teacher. At home, the monster becomes more violent, targeting Mark. Jessie realizes the creature isn’t just a random nightmare but has deep roots in Cody’s past trauma.

The Revelation of the Canker Man

Jessie investigates Cody’s past and learns the truth. Cody’s mother died of cancer when he was very young. As a child, Cody couldn’t understand the disease and thought the illness that took her was a literal monster—he called it the “Canker Man.” His imagination transformed this fear into a living nightmare. The Canker Man isn’t just a dream; it’s the physical embodiment of Cody’s grief and trauma.

Movie Ending

In the climax, Jessie enters Cody’s dream world to confront the Canker Man directly. She sees a twisted, terrifying version of the monster consuming everything Cody fears. When she reaches out with compassion, she realizes the creature is not evil but a projection of Cody’s pain over losing his mother. Jessie comforts Cody and explains the truth—that his mother wasn’t taken by a monster but by illness. By addressing his trauma, Jessie helps Cody accept the loss and neutralize the power of the Canker Man.

The film ends with Jessie embracing Cody, reassuring him that he is safe and loved. The nightmares dissolve, and Cody’s ability to dream becomes less threatening. Jessie, in turn, finds healing from the grief of losing Sean, now able to care for Cody with genuine love rather than trying to replace her dead child. It’s a bittersweet, emotionally heavy conclusion that turns what looked like a horror story into a tale of acceptance, trauma, and healing.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Before I Wake has no post-credits scene. The story concludes with the emotional resolution between Jessie and Cody, leaving no setup for sequels.

Type of Movie

The film is best described as a supernatural fantasy-drama with horror elements. Unlike typical jump-scare horror, it focuses more on atmosphere, psychology, and emotional storytelling.

Cast

• Kate Bosworth as Jessie
• Thomas Jane as Mark
• Jacob Tremblay as Cody
• Annabeth Gish as Natalie
• Dash Mihok as Whelan

Film Music and Composer

The haunting, emotional score was composed by Danny Elfman and The Newton Brothers. The music blends eerie tones with melancholic themes, perfectly balancing the supernatural horror and the underlying grief-driven narrative.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in Fairhope, Alabama and Mobile, Alabama. The suburban settings and forest locations were chosen to emphasize a grounded, ordinary world that contrasts sharply with Cody’s fantastical and terrifying dreamscapes.

Awards and Nominations

While not heavily decorated, the film received attention for its originality in horror-fantasy storytelling. Jacob Tremblay’s performance was especially praised, continuing his reputation as one of the strongest child actors of his generation.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The movie was originally shot in 2013 but delayed due to Relativity Media’s bankruptcy, only releasing internationally in 2016 and on Netflix in 2017.
• Director Mike Flanagan had to fight to keep the film’s emotional ending, as producers initially pushed for a darker, more traditional horror climax.
• The Canker Man was created using a mix of CGI and practical effects, inspired by shadowy nightmare creatures.
• Jacob Tremblay filmed this before his breakthrough role in Room (2015), though Room released first.

Inspirations and References

The film was inspired by Flanagan’s interest in childhood imagination and trauma. It combines fairy-tale elements with horror in the vein of Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), while also evoking emotional horror similar to Stephen King’s stories.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely available alternate endings, though test screenings reportedly considered a darker outcome where Cody’s powers remained uncontrollable. The final cut chose emotional closure over relentless horror, consistent with Flanagan’s style.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Before I Wake is not adapted from a book but is an original screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Jeff Howard. Its fairy-tale-like tone often makes it feel literary, but it has no novel source.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The butterfly dream sequence, where Jessie and Mark first realize Cody’s power.
• Cody dreaming of Sean, giving Jessie a fleeting reunion with her dead child.
• The Canker Man attacking at school, creating chaos in front of Cody’s classmates.
• Jessie entering Cody’s nightmare and discovering the truth about the Canker Man.

Iconic Quotes

• Jessie: “Your dreams are amazing, Cody. But they’re dangerous too.”
• Cody: “The Canker Man… he takes them all.”
• Jessie (to Cody): “It wasn’t a monster. It was just sickness. She loved you.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Mike Flanagan includes subtle motifs of water, tying Jessie’s trauma (Sean’s drowning) to Cody’s fears.
• The name “Canker Man” is symbolic: “canker” means a spreading sore, directly connecting to cancer.
• Butterflies serve as a recurring motif of transformation and fragility, paralleling both Sean’s death and Cody’s fragile emotional state.

Trivia

• This was one of the last films released by Relativity Media before its bankruptcy.
• The script circulated in Hollywood for years before Mike Flanagan picked it up.
• Flanagan is known for blending horror with emotion, as seen in his later works like The Haunting of Hill House.

Why Watch?

Watch Before I Wake if you’re tired of cheap jump scares and want a horror movie that blends emotion, trauma, and supernatural fantasy. It’s a unique film that’s scary, sad, and uplifting all at once.

Director’s Other Movies

• Oculus (2013)
• Hush (2016)
• Gerald’s Game (2017)
• Doctor Sleep (2019)
• Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
• The Orphanage (2007)
• Mama (2013)
• Room (2015)