Inspired by the Rotherham and Rochdale human trafficking scandals that have rocked the UK in recent years and are currently back in the news, DEAD BEFORE THEY WAKE – the new crime thriller from Shepka Productions relocates the action to Glasgow.

Based on true events, the film follows nightclub bouncer Alex who is hired by a retired lawyer to track down a missing teenager girl, suspected of being snared by a trafficking ring and bring her home no matter what it takes.

Dead Before They Wake stars Nathan Shepka (Lock & Load, The Baby in the Basket), Grace Cordell (Cara), Manjot Sumal (The Last Bus, hit BBC sitcom Scot Squad), Kareem Nasif (The Job) with Dr Who legend Sylvester McCoy (The Hobbit trilogy, The Munsters) and Patrick Bergin (Sleeping With the Enemy, Patriot Games). The film features an original score by Academy Award winning composer Joseph Renzetti and is directed by Andy Crane and Nathan Shepka.

Producer Nathan Shepka said: ‘We wanted to base the film on real events and researched how UK human trafficking gangs operated to give the film a grounded sense of reality. It is important to highlight what goes on every day and can often by ignored by the mainstream. We don’t feel any studio would have taken on the story in this way. It is likely to be a divisive and controversial portrayal. Ultimately there still has to be a pay-off for the audience the film culminates in a brutal revenge-driven showdown.’

Dead Before They Wake is rated 18 for strong human trafficking, very strong language, violence and adult themes. https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/dead-before-they-wake-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdi1ntg2

The film is now available to stream in the United States on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play and many more. It will debut in the UK on 27th January.

PRESS QUOTES

‘Likely a story no big studio would ever consider’ – Film Blitz

‘A powerful film that avoids the self-righteousness of films like The Sound of Freedom. Instead, it opts for a gritty, down-and-dirty approach that feels much closer to reality.’ – Voices from the Balcony

‘This was really intense. I was figuratively on the edge of my seat a lot of the time.’ – DTV Connoisseur

‘It’s hard to shy away from the fact that this film takes on some difficult material, and at times is hard to watch. Sometimes that is what it takes to make a statement.’ – Malevolent Dark

‘There are some scenes that are pretty upsetting, it’s not for the faint of heart. Pretty hard-hitting, even for me’ – Last Movie Outpost

‘Shepka (is) suitably brooding with violence bubbling under the surface – which leads into a bloody, brutal and explosive finale.’ – Dark Side Magazine

To view original press release, please visit https://prbuzz.co/news/1377540/dead-before-they-wake-one-of-the-most-controversial-films-of-2025-hits-streaming

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