Wake Wood (2009)

The parents of a girl who was killed by a savage dog are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter.

Director:

David Keating

Writers:

Brendan McCarthy (story), Brendan McCarthy (screenplay)

Stars:

Aidan Gillen, Eva Birthistle, Timothy Spall

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aidan Gillen	...	Patrick
Eva Birthistle	...	Louise
Timothy Spall	...	Arthur
Ella Connolly	...	Alice
Ruth McCabe	...	Peggy O'Shea
Brian Gleeson	...	Martin O'Shea (as Briain Gleeson)
Amelia Crowley	...	Mary Brogan
Dan Gordon	...	Mick O'Shea
Tommy McArdle	...	Tommy
John McArdle	...	Ben
Aoife Meagher	...	Deirdre
Siobhán O'Brien	...	Pharmacy Customer
Alice McCrea	...	Lady Customer
Johnny Fortune	...	Mechanic
John Hand	...	Arthur's Helper 1

Storyline

Still grieving the death of nine-year-old Alice - their only child - at the jaws of a crazed dog, vet Patrick and pharmacist Louise relocate to the remote town of Wake Wood where they learn of a pagan ritual that will allow them three more days with Alice. The couple find the idea disturbing and exciting in equal measure, but once they agree terms with Arthur, the village's leader, a far bigger question looms - what will they do when it's time for Alice to go back?

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Plot Keywords:

resurrection | ritual | pagan | supernatural | gore | 

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Taglines:

Beware Those You Love the Most

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bloody violence including disturbing images, and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 2011 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Suma Budjenja

Filming Locations:

Övraby Studios, Tomelilla, Sweden

Company Credits

Production Co:

Exclusive Film Distribution, Hammer Films, Vertigo Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Being a fan of the film Frostbite (2006), David Keating wished to work with the people behind the film, and he hired Chris Maris (the cinematographer on Frostbite) to shoot Wake Wood and Magnus Paulsson (Frostbite's producer) as co-producer.

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Goofs

In the first hour of the movie a silver Irish reg Saab is the family car but in the last 20 minutes a black Northern Irish reg Audi is the family car.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Arthur: [to a resurrected Alice] Back to the trees and into the woods
Arthur: [about a now possessed Alice] Don't look at her

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Connections

References Pet Sematary (1989)

User Reviews

Would you bring her back?...

Based from the movie's cover, then "Wake Wood" looked really interesting, so it was with some anticipation and expectation that I sat down and watched this movie.

The story told in the movie was actually quite good, I will give the movie that much. Dealing with a family torn apart by the death of their little girl, then given the chance to see their deceased girl again for three days, and for three days only. But of course, something is amiss... Actually the story was much similar to the plot in Stephen King's "Pet Semetary" movie/book.

For scare effects and scare value, then "Wake Wood" was a very weak cup of tea. There weren't any moments that made you jump in the seat or even had the hairs on your neck stand up. Not everything in the movie was bad, mind you. There were scenes and scenery that were working well for the movie, but it just never came to any scary moments.

The acting in "Wake Wood" was alright as well. The movie was carried by Aidan Gillen (playing Patrick) and Eva Birthistle (playing Louise). The role of Alice (played by Ella Connolly) wasn't particularly well executed and could have been more creepy with another child actress.

For a horror movie, then "Wake Wood" was a very uninspiring, uninteresting and non-entertaining movie. If you like horror movies, then there are far better ones out there. The movie is worth checking out for the story alone, though, just bear in mind that it is much similar to the works of Stephen King though.