Mike Flanagan has become one of the most trusted names in modern horror and fantasy films. With celebrated Netflix shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass and films like Doctor Sleep and, most recently, The Life of Chuck, he has earned a reputation for telling stories that are as interested in human heartbreak as they are in things that go bump in the night. Flanagan makes horror movies for adults, which are filled with emotion and smart ideas. Given his success, it’s strange to think that one of his most interesting and heartfelt films remains largely unseen by many of his fans, a movie that got lost in the shuffle of Hollywood business deals. That film is the 2016 dark fantasy, Before I Wake.

Starring Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, and a very young and talented Jacob Tremblay, the film had a messy and delayed journey for audiences, getting shelved for years when its original distributor went bankrupt before quietly appearing on Netflix. Because of this, it never got the big release or marketing push it deserved and has become a kind of forgotten entry in Flanagan’s impressive line of work in the genre. However, nine years later, it’s time to recognize Before I Wake for what it is: a hidden masterpiece. It’s a beautiful, sad, and genuinely creepy fairy tale that uses a supernatural idea to tell a deeply human story about grief, parental fears, and childhood trauma.

In Before I Wake, Dreams And Nightmares Both Come True

From the very beginning, the film is deeply steeped in sadness and grief. A married couple, Jessie (Kate Bosworth) and Mark (Thomas Jane), are trying to piece their lives back together after the tragic accidental death of their young son, Sean. They are trying group sessions and therapy to cope with their suffering, but the loss is making them distant, and Jessie becomes a patient of insomnia. To move forward, they decided to become foster parents to an 8-year-old boy named Cody, played by Jacob Tremblay, who gave another award-winning and memorable performance in Lenny Abrahamson’s 2015 film Room.

From the moment Cody arrives at their home, it’s clear he’s a sweet, gentle kid, but he carries a heavy burden: he’s terrified of falling asleep. His new parents soon learn why. It is revealed that Cody has an incredible, unexplainable ability: when he dreams, his dreams physically appear in the real world. At first, this ability is magical. One night, Jessie and Mark walk into their living room to find it filled with dazzling, colorful butterflies —Cody’s favorite subject —flitting through the air. It’s a moment of pure wonder. However, the magic quickly takes a darker, more complicated turn another night.