Awake

Gina Rodriguez and Mark Raso on Bringing Awake to Netflix—And Why the End of the World Felt Personal

Netflix’s Awake (2021) dropped like a jolt to the system—a sci-fi thriller where a global blackout wipes out humanity’s ability to sleep, sending society into chaos. Behind the high-stakes premise was a team that saw the film as more than just an apocalyptic spectacle. Director Mark Raso and star Gina Rodriguez leaned into the story’s emotional core, framing it as a tale of resilience, family, and identity. The result? latestnetflix.com's read is that a movie that became a streaming hit, with over 60 million households tuning in .

**From Copenhagen to the End of the World**

Raso’s path to Awake wasn’t a straight shot. The Canadian filmmaker cut his teeth with the indie romance Copenhagen (2014) before pivoting to the road-trip drama Kodachrome (2017), starring Ed Harris. But Awake marked his biggest leap yet—a high-concept sci-fi thriller with a budget and reach that dwarfed his earlier work. In interviews, Raso framed the project as a chance to explore human endurance under pressure. “It’s not just about the end of the world,” he said in a behind-the-scenes chat. “It’s about what keeps us going when everything falls apart” .

The script’s blend of sci-fi and family drama resonated with Rodriguez, who signed on as Jill, a former soldier turned single mom fighting to protect her daughter (Ariana Greenblatt) in a world where sleep deprivation is a death sentence. For Rodriguez, the role was a chance to dig into themes of strength and vulnerability—something she tied to her own Latino identity. “Jill’s journey is about survival, but it’s also about love and sacrifice,” she said. “Those are values that resonate deeply in my community” .

A Cast Built for Chaos

Rodriguez wasn’t the only heavy hitter attached. The ensemble included Jennifer Jason Leigh as a ruthless military leader, Barry Pepper as a desperate scientist, and Frances Fisher as a hardened survivor. Raso assembled the cast with an eye for actors who could balance intensity with emotional depth. In a round of cast interviews, Greenblatt, then a rising young star, called the experience “intense but amazing.” She described Rodriguez as a mentor on set, guiding her through the film’s darker moments .

The chemistry between Rodriguez and Greenblatt was a focal point, with Raso framing their relationship as the heart of the story. “Jill and Matilda’s bond is what keeps the film grounded,” he said. “No matter how wild the world gets, it’s about that connection” . The trailer teased this dynamic, cutting between explosive action sequences and quieter, tense exchanges between the two .

A Netflix Hit—But Not Without Criticism

Awake premiered on Netflix in June 2021 and quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched films, racking up 60 million views in its first month . Critics, however, were divided. While some praised the film’s pacing and Rodriguez’s performance, others found the premise stretched thin over its 96-minute runtime. On SensCritique, the movie holds a 4.4/10 rating, with users calling it “a missed opportunity” for deeper world-building . Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score reflects a similar split, though the exact numbers aren’t detailed in the available snippets .

Raso addressed the mixed reception in interviews, acknowledging that Awake wasn’t aiming for perfection. “It’s a thriller first,” he said. “If people come away feeling the tension and caring about the characters, that’s a win” . Rodriguez, too, embraced the film’s flaws, framing it as a story about imperfection. “Jill isn’t a hero because she’s perfect,” she said. “She’s a hero because she keeps going” .

**Why Awake Still Stands Out**

For all its flaws, Awake carved out a niche in Netflix’s crowded sci-fi slate. Its focus on a mother-daughter duo navigating catastrophe gave it an emotional hook that set it apart from other end-of-the-world stories. Rodriguez’s commitment to the role—both as an actor and a producer—added weight to the project, particularly in how she tied Jill’s struggles to her own background .

The film’s success also cemented Raso’s reputation as a director capable of balancing indie sensibilities with mainstream appeal. After Awake, he was attached to several high-profile projects, though details remain scarce. For now, Awake stands as a testament to his ability to turn a simple premise—what if no one could sleep?—into a gripping, character-driven thriller.