Wake Wood (2011)
A grief-stricken couple accepts a terrifying bargain to spend three days with their dead daughter in this chilling Irish folk horror from Hammer.
Wake Wood - Movie Information
- Original Title: Wake Wood
- Release Year: 2011
- Directed by: David Keating
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 25, 2011 (United Kingdom - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Despertar dos mortos (BR), Šuma Buđenja (HR), Пробуждающий лес (RU), Suma Budjenja (RS), Hazara la'hayim (IL)
- Production Companies: Hammer Film Productions, Exclusive Film Distribution, Vertigo Films, Fantastic Films, Solid Entertainment, RTÉ, Film i Skåne, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
- Production Countries: Ireland, United Kingdom
Wake Wood - Plot
The parents of a girl who was killed by a savage dog are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter.
Wake Wood - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dread unfold:
Beware Those You Love the Most
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Wake Wood - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Keating
Main Cast
- Aidan Gillen
- Eva Birthistle
- Timothy Spall
- Ella Connolly
- Amelia Crowley
- Brian Gleeson
- Ruth McCabe
- Dan Gordon
- Tommy McArdle
- John McArdle
Writers
- David Keating
- Brendan McCarthy
Producers
- John McDonnell
- Brendan McCarthy
Wake Wood - FAQs
What is Wake Wood about?
Wake Wood follows Patrick and Louise, a couple devastated by the death of their young daughter Alice, who was killed by a dog. Relocating to a remote Irish village, they discover the locals practice a pagan ritual that can temporarily resurrect the dead — offering them three precious days with Alice, at a chilling cost.
Is Wake Wood similar to Pet Sematary?
Yes, Wake Wood draws clear comparisons to Pet Sematary — both center on parents who use supernatural means to bring a dead child back to life, only to face horrifying consequences. Wake Wood leans into pagan folk horror and Irish rural atmosphere, giving it a distinctly unsettling identity of its own.
Where can you stream Wake Wood?
You can stream Wake Wood on Shudder, AMC+, or the Shudder Amazon Channel and Shudder Apple TV Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Google Play Movies and YouTube, and you can catch it for free with ads on Cineverse, Mometu, and the Plex Channel.
Does Wake Wood have a happy ending?
Wake Wood does not offer a conventional happy ending. The film builds to a deeply unsettling conclusion that subverts any hope of comfort or closure. Without spoiling too much, the rules of the ritual come back with devastating force, leaving the audience with a bleak, haunting final image.
Who are the main actors in Wake Wood?
The film stars Aidan Gillen and Eva Birthistle as the grieving parents Patrick and Louise, with Timothy Spall delivering a memorably eerie performance as Arthur, the village elder who controls the ritual. Young Ella Connolly plays their daughter Alice.
Is Wake Wood a Hammer Horror film?
Yes — Wake Wood was produced by Hammer Film Productions, marking one of the legendary studio's first releases after its revival in the late 2000s. It sits comfortably alongside Hammer's classic tradition of atmospheric, folk-inflected British horror, while bringing a fresh Irish rural sensibility to the genre.
Is Wake Wood based on a true story or source material?
Wake Wood is an original story written by director David Keating and producer Brendan McCarthy. It draws on pagan and folk horror traditions rather than any specific real-world event or pre-existing literary source, though its themes of grief and resurrection echo classic horror folklore from the British Isles.
How was Wake Wood received by critics?
Wake Wood earned solid praise from horror critics, who highlighted its atmospheric tension, strong performances — particularly from Timothy Spall — and its effective blend of grief drama with folk horror dread. It's frequently recommended alongside films like Hereditary and Midsommar for fans of slow-burn, emotionally grounded horror.
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