John Gavagin

John Gavagin’s name pops up in connection with the 1998 film “If I Die Before I Wake,” and honestly, that movie is a bit of a gut punch. So, you’ve got this regular suburban family, just trying to get through their day-to-day stuff, when—out of nowhere—their house turns into the stage for a horrifying home invasion. It’s not your run-of-the-mill thriller, either. The tension just keeps ratcheting up, minute by minute, and you almost want to yell at the screen sometimes. The story zooms in on the family’s youngest kid, a boy who’s basically forced to grow up overnight. He’s got to face down his worst fears while his family’s lives hang in the balance. No sugarcoating here; the situation is raw, messy, and honestly feels way too real at times. There’s this claustrophobic feeling throughout the whole thing. The invaders aren’t some cartoon villains—they’re just desperate, unpredictable, and terrifyingly human. The film doesn’t let you off easy, either. Every decision, every little noise, you’re holding your breath with them. It’s kind of wild how the story balances hope and dread, especially through the kid’s eyes. You see how trauma can shape someone, how fear and bravery can exist side by side. By the end, you’re left thinking about what you’d do in their shoes—if you’d freeze, fight, or just fall apart. It’s one of those movies that lingers, makes you check the locks twice before bed.