Kevin Spacey Thriller 'The Awakening' Sets U.S. Digital Release for Nov. 24

Kevin Spacey's conspiracy thriller "The Awakening" will reach U.S. digital and cable platforms on Nov. 24 through Blue Harbor Entertainment. The two-time Oscar winner takes a supporting role in the British feature, which carries the tagline "The Film They Don't Want You to See."

The U.S. announcement follows the film's world premiere at the Matera Film Festival in Italy on Nov. 10 and precedes a U.K. premiere at Pinewood Studios on Nov. 13 — the same facility where the production shot. A U.K. release will follow the American launch, with further international dates still unannounced.

Who made the film?

Justin Tinto leads the cast as former Army officer Jason Reynolds, and he also created and independently financed the project through Awakening Movie Ltd. The film has been five years in the making. Alice Eve ("Star Trek Into Darkness") plays Rebecca Reynolds. The ensemble also includes:

• Eddie "The Beast" Hall, the former World's Strongest Man, in his first major film role
• Peter Stormare ("Fargo," "John Wick: Chapter 2")
• Former Bond villains Steven Berkoff ("Octopussy") and Julian Glover ("For Your Eyes Only")
• Matt Hookings and comedian Daniel O'Reilly, known as Dapper Laughs

Spacey attended the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 to help promote the picture. His participation is supporting, not lead.

Matt Routledge directed from a script by Tinto, Routledge and Hookings. Tim Kent and Hookings produced in association with Camelot Films. Principal photography began at Pinewood Studios in May 2024.

The credits carry mainstream pedigree. Cinematographer László Bille's camera work includes "Dune" and "Blade Runner 2049." Luke Tumber, stunt coordinator, counts "No Time to Die" and "Venom: The Last Dance" among his credits. Graham Povey supervised special effects on productions including "Gladiator" and "World War Z." Chris Gill, editor, cut "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."

What is the story?

Set during a global pandemic, the plot follows Jason Reynolds, whose parents have disappeared, and Rebecca Reynolds as they uncover a conspiracy run by a hidden organisation called The Order. Its influence reaches the highest levels of global power. Hunted by The Order's enforcers, the pair race to expose what they have found.

"I wanted to make a film that entertains people but also makes them think. A story that challenges what we accept as truth, who we trust and how easily the world around us can be manipulated," Tinto said in a statement. "Bringing this film to life with such an extraordinary cast, and now sharing it with audiences internationally, is something I'm incredibly proud of."

Routledge framed the film's ambition in craft terms. "A conspiracy thriller only works if the audience can believe the world on screen is one step away from their own. This cast made that world real," the director said.

What does this change for the film's prospects?

A sequel, "The Awakening 2," is already in development, which signals the financiers expect the first installment to find an audience. Hookings acknowledged the odds independent productions face. "Most independent films at this scale never get finished, and ours did. Shooting at Pinewood with this cast isn't something you take for granted, and we're already at work on the sequel," he said.

What remains unsaid is theatrical distribution: the Nov. 24 launch is digital and cable only, and no box-office test stands between the film and its streaming audience. The "further international dates" and the U.K. release window carry no confirmed schedule yet. Whether Spacey's presence widens the film's reach or narrows its distribution options is the question the Nov. 24 numbers will answer.