The Jack in the Box: Awakening (2022) User Reviews

This is a step in the right direction from the first film but still is a below average addition to the horror genre

[kevin_robbins · 4/10 · 9 August 2022]

Jack in the Box: Awakening (2022) is a movie I recently watching on Tubi. The storyline follows a woman on her deathbed who makes a wish to the wrong old antique box. The box agrees to grant her wish if she releases whats inside...

This movie is directed by Lawrence Fowler (Jack in the Box) and stars Matt McClure (Penny Dreadful), James Swanton (Host), Mollie Hindle (The Highwayman), Nicola Wright (Love Possibly) and Michaela Longden (Book of Monsters).

This was better than the first film. Once again the costume, makeup and sound effects were excellent and created a great "monster;" unfortunately, the kill scenes were still a notch down from what I hoped. The kill scenes show a knife or scissors, a gesture and then not what happens to the victims. The storyline isn't compelling enough to care about the characters and what happens to them and the ending is straightforward.

Overall this is a step in the right direction from the first film but still is a below average addition to the horror genre. I would score this a 4/10 and recommend skipping it.

Not a good story movie

[dy38493 · 4/10 · 29 March 2022]

Not a good movie to watch for especially the director and writer have nothing to tell in this movie the movie is totally wasted the actors are all totally wasted.

Enough Jack

[olcayozfirat · 3/10 · 21 August 2022]

Is a 2022 horror film. The film is the 2nd installment of The Jack in the Box movie. Section. Although it is a little better than the first film, it does not even reach mediocre. The plot of the film is briefly as follows: there is a cursed clown in a box. Whatever you want from this box happens after 6 victims. A ridiculous character and subject. It's also very boring.

There is no nudity and sexuality in the film.

Crap

[edlc1970 · 1/10 · 24 January 2022]

Its nothing more than utter crap. Its bad acting, bad plot and just utter boredom to watch. They try some jumpscare, but at most you get annoyed. After 20 min. Of watching this crap, i began playing Fishdom on my phone. Avoid.

Shoddy film

[cherubsflutter · 1/10 · 16 January 2022]

Can't believe people have wasted their career in producing this film it is very poorly written, performed by amateurs one which made for an atrocious evening that I wish I hadn't wasted.

Awful

[mphillips1108 · 1/10 · 16 February 2022]

Ugh, 93 mins of my life that I will never get back! One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Nothing suspenseful and the actors, writers, producers should be ashamed. Have nothing good to say about it...except it is over.

Plop goes the weasel

[tellstar · 4/10 · 25 January 2022]

This threadbare film plays out like a synopsis for a better movie. The cast seems game, but the movie never fires on all cylinders. Even the title Jack in the Box is a prop that looks cheaply thrown together. Deaths are timed like clockwork but generate little interest as Jack just runs after people and then claws them to death. After the first kill, the film repeats itself in cycles until it plods to an obvious end. OK to leave on while you're doing something else, but not as the focus of a night's entertainment.

Lets hope this is the last one...

[ravenhair702 · 4/10 · 10 December 2022]

I saw the first Jack in the box, and it holds two things I'm scared of. Clowns and a Jack in the box. Hated those things since childhood. Just the music the box makes gives me the creeps. While this movie is creepy...it just wasn't scary. The filming location for this movie was excellent and the manor and the grounds were beautiful. I thought the acting was good as well, but the plot was just like the last movie, kill 6 people to obtain a wish. Two movies like this should be the limit. I don't think this same plot will work a third tine. It's hard to believe they even gave it the green light for a second movie. Peace.

A good improvement

[IsaacLawrenceFilms · 7/10 · 10 January 2022]

The first film was a well-shot, but fairly run-of-the-mill direct-to-video horror. The production value was good for the budgetary constraints, but overall, the story was generic and felt a little padded.

'The Jack in the Box: Awakening' is certainly an improvement. We begin with what seems like a basic horror film setup, but the film surprised me by showing a surprisingly large amount of the story through (one of) the villain's perspective. It's very clever from an emotional standpoint and the acting was actually really good from everyone, but Matt McClure as Edgar is definitely the standout.

So the story, is actually quite well-done, and while there is a somewhat overlong exposition scene, it's more about the emotional journey than it is all the backstory of the demon. There are some very effective sequences of tension building too, often involving lights, which sounds very rudimentary on paper, but, trust me, it's used to good effect here.

I only wish they hadn't shied away on many of the kills though: a disappointing amount of them happen off-screen, which is okay for a few times and I know suspense is more effective than gore, but it is a slasher and I would have like to have seen a little more pay-off with the deaths.

I would recommend this for low-budget horror fans. Aside from being just a little overlong, it's a fairly uniquely-told story with good production value (the locations are gorgeous), well-done cinematography and some decent suspense and scares. Lawrence Fowler has clearly grown as a writer and director and you won't be lost if you skip the original film. I wish the creators the best luck in their future endeavours.

Sack the scripwriters

[alwatts · 2/10 · 19 January 2022]

Hey for a short moment I thought this might not be too bad even though the female leads accents amost drove me insane (then a gain they must have as I watched all the movie) no phones. No wyfi, no computer no internet nowonder the staff were having it off. Ok no phone well we have a Doctor turn up to treat one of the staff (called by yje owner using a phone they dont have then the Dr hand her his card and tells her to call him anytime. Girlfriend of the owners car just dissapears as does the doctors hell why go on its a c grade at best Al Watts.

It's a Good Horror Movie

[HorrorNixonAlien29 · 10/10 · 22 June 2022]

I am giving this a ten mainly because I found no issues. I mean it was not ground breaking but if that is what you are looking for in every horror movie then your in the wrong genre. Did I jump? Yes. Do I want an origin story? Yes. Did I want to fast forward due to annoyance? No. The other reason I give it a ten is because the reviews I saw for less than 5 were obviously not genre fans and this is a genre film that is light enough to watch at a sleepover in middle school but scary enough to ensure at least one girl at the sleepover never does a sleepover again.

seems like seven is a lucky number...

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 16 January 2022]

In this british jack the box horror flick, written and directed by mr fowler that has fumbled a whole lot on the plot speed, the filmographic brightness gives vibes of 1980's bbc studio tv theater, but thats merely it on the downside.

Its quite good acted, small cast,good screaming, enerving score and sound effects and few sets, light and shadow work are impeccable, and the jack in the box is quite enerving and well acted and styled non-vfx/cgi, the horror segments makes you feel quite uncomfortable and there are a pretty lot of them throughout the screening, so if your nerves are bleeched and your heart faintful, then a small warning to you.

So if you have a tendency towards jacks in a box stories with an alternative clutch on the straw then this might be IT. Of course you couldve written a better screenplay than this you might think, but the grumpy old man , who has shown quite some grit towards british low budget horrorfilmaking may give a recommend to this one.

Horror made by an amateur

[mautanaug · 4/10 · 2 April 2022]

Poor poor poor and poor in every way. The script is boring, obviously written by an amateur. The acting is very bad, overacting in a very bad way. The actors are the worst, can't be any worse.

Not Much Better

[vengeance20 · 1/10 · 5 May 2022]

Having only remembered bits and pieces of the first film but of course remembering how bad it was, I wasn't holding out hope for this sequel...

The film sees the legend of the Jack In The Box continue to spread his rain of terror after being dormant for a few years.

Like the first film, I didn't much like this film. While it had some gory moments in it, it wasn't great generally. The story is weak, the acting is weak and the sequel just feels pretty uneeded and adds zilch to the already bad original. It drags with an 86 minute runtime and for the most has too much dialogue and boring drama.

Overall, it's not a great film, which I expected in a way, but still gave it a watch to see if there was a chance at all that the film might be better.

1/10.

Six Sacrifices

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 4 March 2022]

The demon possessed Jack-in-the-Box from the first feature is acquired by a rich, deathly ill woman (Nicola Wright). In order to be cured of her cancer, the box wants six sacrifices. Her son (Matt McClure) helps to round up victims. I liked the ending for what it is worth. The plot needed help. Directing was off.

Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

The Sequel to the Greatest Film of All Time - The Jack in the Box; Awakening

[arthur_tafero · 2/10 · 19 October 2022]

Just kidding. Not the greatest film of all time. Close to the worst film of all time, but not even bad enough for that. It's a tad better than the worst film of all time, so it gets a two star rating. The original was horrendous (but not in a good way), and the sequel is sleep-inducing ( i took a ten minute nap in the middle of the film and missed nothing from the plot). I got free passes for this and several other turkeys. I got free popcorn and coke as well. It was not worth the loss of my time. I took a nice nap, but still had to look at the meaningless action? On the screen. I wanted to leave early, but it was a very big serving of popcorn.

Very bad

[karolystadtrucker · 1/10 · 15 June 2022]

I've never seen a bad movie like this for so long. Cheap effects, too much blood spraying from the mom, only because it's horror. The son's acting is so so bad.

An awful film!

[jp_91 · 3/10 · 20 January 2023]

Talking about "The Jack in the Box: Awakening" is a total waste, as is watching it, a movie with a bad script and a direction that seems non-existent. The soundtrack goes completely unnoticed, the performances are flat, only Matt McClure is saved in an insane character well interpreted with certain traits to the legendary character of Norman Bates. The plot does not present horror or suspense, besides being quite boring, only the story about Dubois can be saved. The characters are incipient and fail to connect with the viewer. Something interesting about the film is its filming locations that are gloomy, perfect for a horror movie, but are not taken advantage of by the production team. A lousy movie with a couple of good things, a waste of time as a result.

Amazing horror movie

[ahmed-ammar2006 · 7/10 · 12 February 2022]

I really liked the movie especially i didn't see the first movie but this one took my attention from the beginning to the end, i liked the Edgar acting he was the best in the movie.

it's just too bad

[lunaybaquita · 2/10 · 12 August 2022]

It's really not scary at all, and it's unintentionally funny in many parts. But I'll give it 2 stars because it's a great movie to watch with friends to have a laugh, I would rank it to soap-opera level.

Pretty good

[mr-47962 · 9/10 · 30 April 2022]

I think it is definitely a decent demon based film. About as good as the original. Anyone who says it is crappy doesn't truly know horror films in my opinion.

Underrated movie

[nettapoo · 7/10 · 2 May 2022]

I REALLY enjoyed the movie as far as the thriller aspect and the fact that I had to turn away from the screen through a sacrifice scene, was impressive since I don't scare easy! I believe those of you rating would have to either personally relate to the characters and the plot or have a vivid imagination to visualize the value of the movie even though critics would call it "low budget". The comments, in my opinion or extremely harsh and maybe they can rely on support from those of you who didn't appreciate the effort put into making a movie that kept my attention...which is hard to do.

A mediocre film with nothing new to say but a decent budget

[murakamigirl · 5/10 · 7 May 2022]

What the title says. The acting was not terrible, SFX was also decent. The whole Oedipus complex plot was pretty derivative, but the most ridiculous part to me was that ending with the locked gate and the power box to open it which was straight out the video game Dead by Daylight.

Pretty hilarious, I kept waiting for the clown to jump out and hang the final girl on a hook.

I think we're running out of horror film ideas

[danaeriley · 3/10 · 29 April 2023]

This movie is weird. It's kinda shot Good, in terms of lower budget film making, but the main guy character is terrible at acting. Plus.. the concept of someone living in a jack in the box is ridiculous. I've never even seen the "first" one, but I don't want to now. It's also very sloooow moving. Living in a manor with no internet, phone, or house phone...plus a 9pm curfew, weirdo jack in the box clown killer thing, a dying bedridden woman, you see where this is going. The answer is nowhere. It's a shame because with better acting, a not so predictable storyline & faster movement would have made this halfway watchable.

Watered Down Hellraiser

[saint_brett · 1/10 · 19 May 2022]

A terminally ill hand maiden, who resides in a rural manor in Tottenham, pulls a riddle box out of nowhere and releases 'The Killer Klowns From Outer Space,' I mean Frank, a genie in a bottle who demands she brings 6 people home to feast upon in exchange for almanac soccer scores? Sounds like 'ol Pin 'Ed from 'Hellraiser,' Lad.

So what have we got here - Meryl Streep gasping for breath on her deathbed as Guy Pearce hopes and prays the old bag just rolls over and dissolves so he can inherit the estate.

Streep unleashes Pinhead early in the movie and I can tell already that these people were influenced by 'American Horror Story's' murderous Twisty The Clown. Inspired, were we? Mm hmm.

The entry into the manor requires some Dr. Who Dalek-looking pass code as Rebekah Elmaloglou is escorted onto the premises with the promise of a job as a private Les Girl servant.

Isn't that Steve Carell from 'Get Smart?' Geri Halliwell and Mark Bosnich, yes, the soccer player who played for the Werrington Wolves, play the characters of victim 2 and 3. They're murdered out of order where victim number 3 is murdered by a dinosaur sounding thingy and served up to Pinhead for supper who's just been released again by what's-his-face? The guy from 'Get Smart.' Yer him.

Pia Miller from Home and Away shows up in a cameo, or is it Natalie Portman? She's our heroine. Victim number 4 or 5 is murdered by an electric chair eye examination? Victim 2 dies toward the end in a lousy fashion which isn't inspiring. In fact, a lot of the kills are rather bland.

Finding solace in Scotch whiskey from Walthamstow the devoted son - guy from 'Get Smart' - is infatuated with his own mother's stronghold over his perverted desires to please her and pledges to bring more cadavers home in hopes she'll prophesize the You Wafer cup final Super League score.

In some piddly backstory - Santa Claus shows up only to add confusion to the plot. And the clown, who was once human, was adopted by Santa and his name is revealed as either Yak Face or Admiral Ackbar and that it was the descendant of Van Damme under the stage name of DuBois, or something? It has claims to some royal tea heritage title from the North Pole something along those lines, I think? Very confusing movie with little structure.

This wooden clown statue in the box, with the bleeding eye sockets, has obviously been stolen from that tricycle riding chap from Saw?

The moral of the story is - Rebekah comes to her "away" senses and realizes that she's been cast in a movie that's a weak watered down B-side to Hellraiser and that she can't find the key to the front gate of the manor to escape and it must have slipped her mind to just use a simple stepladder to exit the prison manor of Streep and Pinhead? This movie's full of question marks.

Throw in a bit of 'Silence of the Lambs' at the end, as movie makers today like to bite other films from the past with impunity. It's a blatant rip-off of 'Hellraiser' right down to chains residing in the box. The monster gets clumsy all of a sudden at the end and he's really just some reject from 'In The Night Garden' and was presumably kicked out of the Tombliboos gang for misconduct with ensuing out of court settlements due to inconsistent values and false morals. Meanwhile on the other side of town Wembley beat the Bradford Bulls in a friendly 1-0. The end.

P. S. Oh, this is the sequel, is it? I haven't seen part 1. Joke In The Box more like it.