The premise is both simple and strange: two young women, Irene (Elsie Hewitt) and Molly (Vanessa Dubasso), fall victim to carbon monoxide poisoning during their first date. As their physical bodies lie in hospital beds, their spirits find themselves trapped in a metaphysical realm where time has no meaning. “We could be stuck here for eons and eons,” one character observes, and in this liminal space, they must confront their demons while falling in love.
It's a setup that could easily veer into melodrama or new-age nonsense, but Rissman handles the material with surprising restraint. The supernatural elements serve not as mere plot devices but as mirrors reflecting the characters' inner struggles. Hewitt and Dubasso share a chemistry that feels authentic, their performances grounded even as their characters float through the ethereal.
The film's visual approach to the spirit realm deserves special mention. Rather than relying on CGI spectacle, Rissman opts for a more subdued aesthetic that emphasizes the emotional rather than the supernatural. The result is reminiscent of Peter Jackson's “The Lovely Bones,” but with a more intimate focus.
Sherilyn Fenn, as a supporting character whose role I won't spoil, brings gravitas to her scenes, serving as an anchor in this otherworldly narrative. The rest of the ensemble, including Sulem Calderon and Chris Zylka, populate the earthly and spiritual planes with convincing performances that help sell the film's reality.
Where “Upon Waking” stumbles is in its pacing. The film sometimes gets lost in its own metaphysical maze, letting scenes linger past their emotional peak. There's a tighter, more impactful 90-minute film hiding within this slightly overlong exploration of love and consciousness.
Yet there's something admirable about Rissman's commitment to the story's deeper themes. This isn't just another supernatural romance; it's a meditation on healing, self-acceptance, and the kind of love that transcends physical existence. The film suggests that sometimes we need to lose everything – even our corporeal forms – to find ourselves and truly connect with another soul.
The Alternative Spirit Award at the 2023 Flickers Film Festival feels appropriate for a film that takes such risks with its narrative. While not every swing connects, the ambition and emotional authenticity make “Upon Waking” a noteworthy debut. It's the kind of film that, despite its flaws, stays with you, inviting contemplation about the nature of love and consciousness long after the credits roll.
As the film heads to VOD this Valentine's Day, it offers an alternative to traditional romance narratives. In an era where superhero spectacles dominate and rom-coms often feel formulaic, there's something refreshing about a film that dares to explore love through such an unconventional lens.
Does “Upon Waking” achieve everything it sets out to do? Not quite. But in its best moments, it reminds us that love, like consciousness itself, remains one of the great mysteries worth exploring in cinema.
