Wake Up comes with an interesting and initially promising concept, offering a storyline that makes us think about extremism and its consequences, both from the activists' side and the security guards, who defend their work with questionable tactics. The film seems like it wants to explore this tension, questioning just how "right" or "moral" each side really is. But as it goes on, it quickly becomes clear that this potential for reflection is left unexplored and stays on the surface. It's a pity, as Wake Up had the chance to touch on relevant themes, but it misses the mark by not going deeper.
The plot is straightforward: a group of activists break into an IKEA-like store overnight to stage a protest. Tension rises when they realize they're being hunted by a security guard with homicidal tendencies. From here, the movie takes a classic slasher route, where the main objective is simply for the characters to survive while being hunted by a relentless killer. It's a well-worn formula we've seen many times, so from a narrative standpoint, Wake Up doesn't bring anything new to the genre.
The biggest issue is precisely that predictability. I felt like I knew exactly what was coming, with no twists or surprises to change those expectations. The film doesn't try to innovate or challenge slasher stereotypes. Instead, it sticks to them closely, making it feel predictable and, at times, a bit monotonous. It's not poorly executed-the production is solid, and the setting works-but it lacks the originality that would set it apart from so many similar films.
Even so, there is one standout moment. In one of the film's most memorable scenes, the characters are covered in glow-in-the-dark paint, making them easy targets for the killer. This scene in the dark is visually interesting and really captured my attention. It's the high point of the film, and I feel that if there were more of this kind of creativity in other scenes, the experience could have been much more engaging.
However, Wake Up doesn't go beyond a very basic horror thriller that meets the minimum requirements for entertainment but doesn't quite impress. In short, it's neither good nor bad; it entertains, but it's unlikely to leave a lasting impact.