Arts Muse Magazine “The Wake” review by Penny Jones

“The Wake” is one of those films where you think you’ve predicted the story and you’re sure you know what’s coming next, but as the scenes progress, it’s clear you’ve assumed too much too soon.

Set in an unspecified rural American town, “The Wake” follows two brothers, Walter and Martin, who take advantage of their family’s funeral business to rob the houses of the recently deceased. Whilst both brothers commit the crime, it is clear that Martin is being manipulated into coming along for the ride, and does not fully understand the trouble he is getting dragged through.   

By the time Walter finds a gun and decides to keep it, you are certain someone is going to die. This portrayal of unregulated gun violence in America is done in an unusual way, where the one who suffers at the hands of the firearm is not who you would expect. Nonetheless, the message somehow comes across stronger; the consequences of Walter’s actions are as severe and devastating as they can get. And yet, you can’t help but feel sorry for him, as it is clear his need to flaunt his masculinity is influenced by an overbearing father, by the way, he mirrors his father’s smoking habits and poses with the gun in front of a mirror.

The climax comes in when someone happens to enter a house the brother’s are in the middle of robbing. The tension and intensity comes naturally to the viewers because we know that Martin, being deaf, has no way of knowing someone other than his brother is home. What follows after certainly leaves viewers with more questions than answers.

5/5