10 More Hidden Horror Gems On Netflix
9. Before I Wake
With Doctor Sleep, The Hauntings of Hill House and Bly Manor, Gerald's Game, and Midnight Mass on his résumé, Mike Flanagan is one of the biggest names in the horror genre these days. Along with Hush, though, Before I Wake is one of Flanagan's projects that often gets overlooked. Luckily for horror hounds, Before I Wake can nowadays be found on Netflix.
Released in various territories across 2016 and 2017, it wasn't until 2018 that Before I Wake received a full US release due to rights issues. And in hindsight, such a muddled release schedule was likely a key factor in this picture not making the splash it deserved to.
On the surface, Before I Wake could be taken as your typical 'things that go bump in the night' sort of affair. Here, we have Mark (Thomas Jane) and Jessie Hobson (Kate Bosworth), who foster eight-year-old Cody (Jacob Tremblay) after the death of their own son.
It soon becomes apparent that Cody has a unique gift that allows his dreams to manifest into reality. While it warms the hearts of Mark and Jessie when Cody dreams of butterflies - the Hobsons' deceased son's favourite animal - it's another thing altogether when these dreams summon the ominous presence of the Canker Man.
What Before I Wake really is, is not just a fantastically crafted horror movie, but more importantly it's a poignant depiction of grief and loss.