There are few who understand loneliness better than the people living in this setting. The Awakening comes from director Nick Murphy, who also wrote the screenplay alongside Stephen Volk. The cast includes Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Shaun Dooley and Joseph Mawle. Daniel Pemberton composed the music, with Eduard Grau handling the cinematography. Set in Britain after World War 1, Florence Cathcart (Hall) earns a living exposing fraudulent spiritualists and debunking claims of ghostly sightings. When school master Robert Mallory (West) asks her to investigate strange occurrences at an isolated boarding school for boys, she accepts the assignment out of curiosity. It’s not unexpected that many reviews of The Awakening draw comparisons to earlier ghost story films. A film like The Woman in Black, released a year later, would face similar criticism regarding originality. Stories set in large estates or secluded schools are what they are and will remain so; enthusiasts of the genre primarily want them executed well, perhaps with some mature themes included. The Awakening delivers on both counts. The idea of someone who doesn’t believe in ghosts having their skepticism challenged is a familiar one, but it's also an effective concept that stands the test of time. Here, strengthened by Hall’s excellent performance, the script consistently keeps viewers guessing. The possibility of something being real or staged creates suspense as the director increases the unsettling atmosphere and develops several genuinely startling sequences—including what might be the best dollhouse scene ever filmed! It has all the necessary scares and a chilling ambiance characteristic of period horror films. The story begins to reveal its secrets in the final third, with an ending that some viewers have found confusing and polarizing. The ambiguity feels odd because everything is explained clearly in a well-constructed scene, something the director himself has acknowledged. As for the divisive reactions? That’s common within this type of horror. Some find it complicated! Artificial! They say it's been done before! These criticisms hold some truth, and there's definitely a need to suspend disbelief to avoid frustration, but ultimately, it provokes a response and succeeds in capturing the spirit of a ghost story. With gorgeous visuals, an evocative score, and strong performances from the main actors, this film is certainly recommended for those who enjoy intelligent period horror films. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB