Awake
Two dreams. One reality.
Created by Kyle Killen
On NBC
A high-concept psychological mystery about a man fractured between two realities, each containing an irreplaceable loss, that uses detective work as a frame for existential dread.
Michael lives in two separate realities after a car accident. In one reality, his wife Hannah survives the accident; in the other reality, his son Rex survives. Michael does not know which reality is "real", and uses the wristbands to differentiate the two. He sees two therapists: Dr. Jonathan Lee in the "red reality" and Dr. Judith Evans in the "green reality". At work, Michael's erratic behavior triggers clashes with his team; they do not know about Michael's uncanny ability to solve crimes using details from both realities.
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is Awake sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of series.
Is Awake scary? Yes. More frightening than 89% of series.
Is Awake easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 75% of series.
Does Awake leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 73% of series.
Is Awake violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Shows That Know They EndFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Awake, and what each one shares →
Like Awake
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Awake
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Awake, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Awake, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Awake, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
