Nestor Munoz

If I Die Before I Wake (1998) isn’t your run-of-the-mill thriller—it’s one of those movies that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t really let go. The story centers on a young girl named Emily, whose family is living what seems like a normal suburban life, until one night everything flips upside down. A group of home invaders crash into their world, and suddenly Emily’s house isn’t safe anymore. The tension? Oh, it’s thick. You’ve got these masked criminals running loose, and the whole family is trying to survive, mostly by hiding and sneaking around their own home, which is now basically a trap. Nestor Munoz is part of this chaotic world, playing a role that’s rough around the edges and not exactly forgettable. The whole film is draped in this sense of dread—seriously, it’s the kind of suspense that’ll have you yelling at the screen, “Don’t go in there!” every five minutes. There aren’t any superheroes swooping in, just regular folks scrambling for their lives, with Emily being especially resourceful despite her age. It’s messy, it’s stressful, and it feels way too real at times. The movie doesn’t pull its punches with the emotional gut punches, either. You’re watching a family get torn apart and trying to stitch themselves back together in the middle of chaos. The tension never really lets up, and by the end, you might just need a breather. Bottom line: If you’re into home invasion thrillers that actually make you care about the people involved, this one’s got your number.