Panic Fest 2025 included a number of feature film debuts, including For God’s Sake Wake Her Up. First-time director Wayne Moreheart and first-time screenwriter James Howells teamed up to tell a tale of grief and redemption. The film centers on Rizz, a teenager who just lost her mother and is struggling with her heartbreak and guilt. When she meets April, a woman tormented by an evil spirit, Rizz begins a quest for forgiveness as she tries to save the woman’s life.

Moreheart and Howells cover a lot of ground with For God’s Sake Wake Her Up. At the heart of the film is a story of loss and forgiveness. It’s the day of Rizz’s mother’s funeral, but she skips it to run around town and do a bit of rebelling with her friend Myles. It becomes clear Rizz feels guilty she was the only family member who didn’t get to say goodbye while her mom was still alive, and she’s uncertain of what to do with her life now. As the duo roam the city, they end up at April’s house. Once Rizz realizes they’re trapped in the house and April is being killed by a sinister being, she sees this as a chance at absolution and becomes determined to save this stranger. For God’s Sake Wake Her Up also incorporates themes of generational trauma, as well as the horrors of sleep paralysis, which is a terrifying phenomenon many have experienced. While there is a bit of mythos built throughout the film, allowing Rizz and the audience to learn more about what’s happening, the filmmakers leave many details shrouded in mystery. Some audiences may wish they knew more about the entity, while others will enjoy coming up with their own theories.

For God’s Sake Wake Her Up has a fairly small cast. Sarah Crawford makes her acting debut as Rizz. This is a brilliant debut for Crawford, showcasing her ability to convey an array of complex human emotions in the face of death and terror. At first coming across as a bit bratty and self-centered, Rizz’s true nature eventually comes out when she becomes determined to save the life of a stranger. Crawford makes it clear her character has a good heart buried under her torment, leading to some intensely emotional moments. Mamie Kakimoto (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) also makes her feature film debut as April, the woman being plagued by supernatural sleep paralysis. Kakimoto gives a heart-wrenching performance, but it’s her physical performance that really stands out. The way she portrays April caught in sleep paralysis is so intense it will take the breath out of some viewer’s lungs.

From the moment the film begins, audiences are sure to notice the great score by Braden Koksal and Julien Verschooris (Coextinction). It gives a heavy electronic sound to match the rather derelict cityscape throughout For God’s Sake Wake Her Up. The production design also helps to create that idea of desolation, especially in April’s run down, mostly empty house. Both the feel and the imagery are captured with stunning cinematography and coloring. To bring the narrative to life, the film switches between showing the present and playing camcorder recordings of April as she tries to find a way to stop her torment. It’s a visually interesting way to sprinkle in important details and add context for the audience. If there is one negative to the sights and sounds of For God’s Sake Wake Her Up, it’s the entity itself. Being a low-budget indie horror film, the filmmakers took a rather simplistic approach to the look of this evil being. While simple can be good, in this case it ends up looking a bit silly, ultimately detracting from the most intense, frightful scenes.

For God’s Sake Wake Her Up is a haunting, suffocating examination of grief and redemption that leaves a lasting impression. Moreheart and Howells make a great team, delivering a debut that is tense and emotional. Newcomers Crawford and Kakimoto are absolutely remarkable as they bring their characters to life. The sights and sounds are mostly well done, with just the design for the entity leaving something to be desired. It’s hard to believe this is a feature film debut for much of the cast and crew, making it clear For God’s Sake Wake Her Up is just the beginning of some fantastic careers.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10