What is Dead Before They Wake About?

Dead Before They Wake is a low-budget action-drama that delves into the grim world of sex trafficking, framed as a crusade of vigilante justice. The film, co-directed by Nathan Shepka and Andy Crane, portrays a lone anti-hero’s quest to dismantle a powerful trafficking network. While its premise is rooted in noble intentions, the execution falls short, leaving its message muddled and its impact diluted.

The narrative centers on Nathan Shepka’s unnamed protagonist, a morally complex figure who operates outside the boundaries of the law. Haunted by his past and driven by a strong moral code, he discovers a sprawling human trafficking operation preying on young girls. As he uncovers the ring’s horrifying extent, he transforms into a vigilante, determined to eradicate the network by any means necessary. Armed with brute force and a grim determination, the protagonist wages a bloody war against the traffickers, confronting their tattooed, gold-chain-wearing henchmen in gritty, low-lit settings.

The villains, portrayed as caricatures of generic action-movie baddies, are depicted as vaguely Eastern European criminals dressed in track suits and dripping with machismo. Their criminal empire operates with the usual cinematic tropes: shadowy backroom deals, threatening phone calls, and dimly lit warehouses filled with nefarious activities. This stereotypical portrayal of the antagonists is emblematic of the film’s overall approach, which relies heavily on clichés and overused tropes from the action-thriller genre.

A key element of the film is its attempt to highlight the devastating effects of human trafficking. In one scene, the protagonist watches a harrowing video of real-life testimonies from trafficking survivors. While the inclusion of such material demonstrates the filmmakers’ intent to bring awareness to the issue, the scene is clumsily handled, appearing disjointed and awkward within the narrative. Instead of deepening the emotional weight of the story, it feels more like an ill-placed public service announcement.

The film also features moments meant to showcase the protagonist’s inner turmoil and moral conflict. While these scenes aim to add depth to his character, they are undermined by poor writing and uneven performances. Shepka, who serves as co-director, writer, and lead actor, struggles to convey the complexity of his character, resulting in a portrayal that feels wooden and unconvincing. Supporting characters, including Sylvester McCoy in a minor role, fail to leave a lasting impression, further weakening the film’s emotional core.

On a thematic level, Dead Before They Wake aspires to tackle the moral questions surrounding justice and redemption. It asks whether violence can ever be justified in the fight against unspeakable evil. However, these questions are overshadowed by the film’s lack of subtlety and technical competence. The action sequences, meant to be the centerpiece of the narrative, are hindered by poor editing, inconsistent lighting, and an overall lack of polish. The result is a movie that struggles to maintain its audience’s engagement, despite the weighty subject matter it seeks to address.

In essence, Dead Before They Wake is a well-intentioned yet deeply flawed attempt to combine social commentary with action entertainment. Its premise holds promise: a morally ambiguous hero fighting to bring justice to victims of an unthinkable crime. However, the film’s reliance on hackneyed tropes, amateurish production quality, and lackluster performances prevents it from making the impact it desires. While it aims to shed light on the horrors of sex trafficking, it inadvertently becomes an example of how not to approach sensitive subjects in cinema.