Before I Wake

Horror movies that exploit broad childhood phobias about bedtime lights-outs and basement chores are a dime a dozen, but it's really refreshing to find one made with a parent's curiosity and concern for a child's point of view.

A flawed film, but there are elements that really work, especially the lead performance and some of Flanagan's gifts with composition.

Before I Wake's images have a pleasing straightforwardness that parallels the openness of the young protagonist's longing for love.

Before I Wake is the ten millionth horror movie about parents mourning a dead child but it actually manages to grab ahold of that horror with two hands and shake the guts out of it at times