Upon Waking Review: Gentle, Emotional & Heartfelt!

November 19, 2025November 30, 2025 Surya Komal 2 Comments Elsie Hewitt, English Movies, Hollywood, Hollywood Movie Reviews, Hollywood Movies, Max Rissman, Upon Waking, Vanessa Dubasso

Upon Waking opens with a premise that feels tender and mysterious, and transforms into a story that blends romance with an otherworldly journey. Writer-director, Max Rissman sets the tone by placing two strangers at the edge of life, exploring what happens when connection forms in a space that exists outside the physical world. The film leans into the emotional pull of near-death experiences while keeping its focus on the intimate bond at its center.

The plot follows Irene and Molly after their first date takes an unexpected and tragic turn. A carbon monoxide leak leaves both women unconscious, their bodies lying on the couch while their spirits drift into a realm caught between life and whatever comes next. Here, the film begins to unfold its emotional core. The women are forced to confront memories and insecurities they have avoided for years. As they move deeper into this strange landscape, they find strength in each other and slowly begin to repair the wounds they carried into the awkward date.

The strongest element in this first stretch is the chemistry between Elsie Hewitt and Vanessa Dubasso. Although I had heard of both actors before, this was my first time truly watching them perform, and they anchor the film with a level of sincerity that feels refreshing. Elsie brings a gentle warmth to Irene, capturing her as a quiet and nervous Christian woman who feels slightly out of place but deeply loving. Her softness becomes the emotional heartbeat of the story.

Vanessa, on the other hand, steps into Molly with a fiery presence. She plays her as bold, outspoken, and firmly atheist, sometimes guarded to the point of pushing others away. The contrast between them creates a natural tension that pulls you in from the start. Since the narrative relies almost entirely on their dynamic, their performances matter more than anything else, and they rise to that challenge with ease. Their connection feels lived in, and the way they navigate fear, vulnerability, and growing affection gives the film its most memorable moments.

What really caught my attention is how indie filmmakers approach storytelling when they are working with tight budgets. They cannot always rely on scale or spectacle, so they have to compensate with creative choices and focused ideas. Max Rissman does exactly that here. The entire film mostly unfolds inside a house, yet it never feels dull or restricted. The concept itself is compelling, and the way the spirit realm blends personal emotion with a hint of sci-fi keeps the experience fresh. The film leans more toward character exploration than world building, and that choice pays off in many places because Irene and Molly are layered enough to carry the narrative on their shoulders.

Even with those strengths, there are a few areas where the film loses balance. The third act does not land as smoothly as everything that comes before it, partly because the emotional momentum begins to slow down. Some of the scenes feel stretched, and trimming the runtime would have helped the pacing stay tight. The ideas remain intriguing, but a slightly sharper finish would have made the ending hit with more impact. Still, the ambition behind the story and the care put into the characters shine through even when the pacing falters.

To sum it up, Upon Waking is a gentle and imaginative supernatural romance that thrives on its emotional focus and the heartfelt work of its leads. Rissman brings forward a thoughtful vision about healing, vulnerability, and the surprising connections that can form in life’s most fragile moments. The film may stumble here and there, but its sincerity and creative spirit make it a memorable indie effort.

You can learn more about the movie on the official website. Also, you can also stream Upon Waking now on Plex—just click here.