Anna Daniels
“Oh, Anna… you represent our finest achievement.” This haunting phrase emerges from the latest trailer for Woken, and frankly? It sent chills down my spine.
A new perspective on a known universe
Having made its debut at the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival in 2023 and later at the Dublin Film Festival in 2024, Woken is Alan Friel’s transition into feature films. Collaborating with Rebecca Pollock, the film is produced by Dark Sky Films and is set to hit U.S. theaters and VOD on July 18, 2025.
The importance of its timeliness
This thriller unfolds in a post-pandemic context, yet it transcends the typical imagery of deserted cities and silent streets. It explores psychological manipulation through quiet, unsettling dialogue. Erin Kellyman adeptly navigates her multifaceted character—following her impressive performances in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Willow. In this film, she portrays Anna: skeptical, strategic, yet profoundly relatable. Opposite her, Maxine Peake delivers a complex performance as Helen, a nurse whose warm demeanor could either provide hope or conceal ulterior motives.
From early festival reviews, critics describe Woken as “emotionally taut” science fiction: sparing in emotion yet rife with suspense. While comparisons to Children of Men are in the air, this narrative seems to delve deeper into horror themes—exploring elements like reproduction as a tool and memory as an entrapment.
A reflection of our times
We’re still grappling with our shared pandemic experiences. The anxiety of control—what if we are subjects in someone’s experiment? Woken brings these concerns to light in a muted manner. Instead of mass hysteria, it builds a slow, creeping sense of anxiety. This represents a more sophisticated, nuanced form of dystopia that resonates closely with our current anxieties.
Final thoughts?
I’m completely captivated. The trailer raises numerous queries rather than providing answers, and this ambiguity is precisely its strength. July 18th can’t arrive soon enough. If you appreciate psychological sci-fi that evokes a chilling vibe through subtlety and depth, this film is calling your name.
Important Dates
- April–June 2022 – Filming at Fanore Beach and the University of Limerick
- 2023 – Premiered at the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival
- March 1, 2024 – Showcased at the Dublin Film Festival
- July 4, 2024 – Theatrical premiere in Italy
- July 18, 2025 – U.S. release in theaters and on VOD via Dark Sky Films
