Die Ontwaking (2015) User Reviews

Underwhelming, to say the least (pun intended)

[krice23 · 4/10 · 15 February 2020]

An amalgam of classics precede this lackluster effort into the murder mystery/horror film genre. A previous review by pairic correctly identified selective plot points as having their origins in some of the best works known; Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon, & Psycho; the author apparently having no ethical recoil at the stark plagiarisms found within their script. I would add to that resume shades of the Son of Sam killer who also heard a dog barking constantly, ever present here in the Lutz scenes, this one named Devil, while the SOS's dog was named Satan. Hmmm. We can also draw comparisons with the Zodiac killer, not only through the astrological references, which never seemed to amount to anything or lead anywhere having to do with plot, and whose killer also liked to communicate through a journalist; here with some disaster. Apparently not, however, with any sense of concern or urgency for the lead detective who, upon learning he is to meet with the Night Stalker, allows him to go alone, without any stakeout or protection from the police. What rookie would do that, I wonder. No detective rising to the eminent level of homicide detective, I can assure you. I was struck by how many differing leads were offered, all leading nowhere. It's as if this movie plot just solved itself and designed to offer any explanations, preferring to be known for the all-too common "artsy" finale of the villain driving off into the distance while the audience is left to try and tie up this messy package and find some semblance of meaning for ourselves (lazy filmmaking) if only to put it behind you and close the door on it for good. Overall, I was less than impressed. Underwhelming, to say the least (yes, pun intended). Oh and yes, one more thing of note. I did read in another review, and I agree, that there was a shocking lack of people of color included for a film produced on location in South Africa, of all places. That reviewer identified one person of color in a supporting role. I didn't even notice him! In fact, this oversight had become so obvious to me that I was waiting to see how long it would take for me to even see a pedestrian on the street, a taxi driver, an office worker, Anyone, who could redeem it's seemingly zero inclusion policy, for how else could you manage it, statistically, I mean? I thought apartheid was over!? It's worth noting, I believe, that white privilege can extend itself so deeply into a society's psyche that people don't even see it when it's hitting them in the face with a sledgehammer. Take some advice from me, pass this movie by if you don't want to feel like bashing your own face in with a hammer for wasted time spent when it's finished.

No awakening! Lots of sleepwalking

[revdennis · 3/10 · 11 December 2020]

Ontwaking=awakening in Afrikaans. The premise is interesting, but the story is poorly told. Detectives, killer, reporter-everyone-sleepwalks along, making foolish moves with little explanation. No awakening for anyone until too late it seems. Editing was poor as transitions between scenes was awkward. No character development, just waited for someone to do something intelligent and was let down. Ending was weak, anti-climactic. For a movie set in South Africa, I expected to see more black people but maybe it's good so few were part of this bad movie

Expecting

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 13 November 2021]

I have to admit, reading the summary here on Imdb for a second I thought: Did I watch the right movie? This sounds amazing ... having said that, the execution and the movie overall is not as exciting (if you excuse the pun) as they might make you believe it is.

That doesn't mean that this is a bad movie by any standards. It just falls flat on the premise or rather promise(s) you are given. The acting is solid of course and the thriller element works mostly too. The theme may offend you and our nemesis/evil/bad guy is supposed to be hated. Take it with a grain of salt and try to overlook the flaws this has.

Damned Shame / Verdomde Skaamte

[Mymsy · 2/10 · 31 January 2020]

If you chopped up ideas from Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, Se7en and mixed it with some bad acting, a confused story line and some taxidermy you would end up with this. Abel Lotz was a nicely sinister character, but the driving force behind his actions was never really explored. A telescope and badly drawn fish does not a killer make......not it the land of film any way.

Interesting If Derivative

[Pairic · 6/10 · 1 February 2020]

Die Ontwaking (The Awakening) 2016: Set in South Africa, this horror/thriller is totally in Afrikaans. Oddly there is only one black actor in a supporting role, the rest of the detectives, suspects and victims are white. We quickly learn who the serial killer is, Abel (Gys de Villiers), suitably creepy he owns a gallery specialising in African Masks. He talks to dead people and has a penchant for cutting tattoos out of the skin of his female victims. His nemesis is a rookie detective, Ella (Juanita deVilliers), we're definitely in Thomas Harris territory here with elements of The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon all too obvious and there is even smidgen of Psycho mixed in. The narrative is about how the detectives pursue the killer and it's not at all bad with good acting from both of the de Villiers and some genuinely disturbing scenes. This is the directorial debut of Johnny Breedt who also wrote the screenplay (based on a novel by Chris Karsten). He was Production Designer on Primeval and The Last House on The Left. A bit derivative but deserves 6/10. On Netflix.

Usual serial killer movie..

[kamalbeeee · 6/10 · 31 May 2020]

A man killing girls for their tattoo with skin...one of the women detective chase him until he catch him...there is no surprise element and interesting subject for unique a movie..some scenes reminds of 1960's physco movie..