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Rude Awakening

Follow Jonathan, an aspiring filmmaker stuck in a dreary office job, who sets out to capture stories of spiritual transformation yet unexpectedly stumbling into his own. Rude Awakening follows his absurd, heartfelt, and often hilarious journey through the never-ending quest for purpose, presence and trying to catch that elusive carrot called enlightenment. As his safe and perfectly curated life begins to unravel, so does his sense of self.

Told through two interwoven timelines—one documenting the real-life journey of six others on the path of awakening, the other turning the lens inward on Jonathan's own mental breakdown—it becomes a cinematic mirror for anyone who’s ever asked, “Who am I, and why am I here?”

With raw honesty and a touch of mischief, Rude Awakening peels back the layers of a spiritual seeker, only to discover that the thing we’re searching for... might be the one holding the camera.

  • Jonathan Kray
    Director
    Lost in Laos, Horizon Zero Dawn
  • Jonathan Kray
    Writer
  • Jonathan Kray
    Writer
  • Jonathan Kray
    Producer
  • Jonathan Kray
    Key Cast
    "Jonathan Kray"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Spiritual
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 33 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    3,000,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, Australia, Japan, Netherlands
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED MONSTRO 4K ANAMORPHIC
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Jonathan Kray
Distribution Information
  • Jonathan Kray
    Sales Agent
    Country: Netherlands
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Jonathan Kray

Jonathan Kray has spent over 25 years writing and directing international commercials, films, game cinematics, music videos, and documentaries.

He served as Cinematics Director for Sony and Guerrilla Games on the internationally acclaimed PlayStation 4 title Horizon Zero Dawn and its DLC, The Frozen Wilds.

Inspired (and traumatized) by growing up in and around spiritual cults, smelly hippie communes and virtually every spiritual modality known to man, Jonathan sets out to document the lifestyle of spiritual seekers and their motivation to find the truth.

This resulted in completing his first feature-length documentary, Rude Awakening—a raw and timely exploration of the inner journey and the modern day quest for enlightenment.

He is currently developing his first international, commercially driven feature film, continuing to collaborate with his trusted team of creative professionals who share his passion for telling beautiful, meaningful stories.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Let’s be honest — in today’s spiritual circles, everyone’s chasing the same mythical unicorn: A perfect, blissed-out non emotional state of being called enlightenment.

But what if that’s not the point?

What if this whole wild human journey is meant to be messier, funnier, emotional, more grounded and NOT about floating off into the void wrapped in a white bedsheet? What if it is about melding the human AND the divine in one tasty existential deli roll called “beingness”.

That’s the question that drove me to make Rude Awakening — a cinematic documentary about the modern quest for enlightenment.

I actually grew up in the wacky world of spiritual drumcircles, weirdo cultists and past life regression therapists…and by the time I hit adulthood, my “path” looked more like a Jenga tower of spiritual regrets and contradictions than the promised unicorn rainbows shooting out of my third eye.

Although Rude Awakening is very much my personal story (and therapy), it is not mine alone.

For this documentary I sat down with six remarkable humans from all walks of life who’ve each walked through their own messy and mesmerizing journey of awakening.

Their raw and honest stories turned this film into something bigger: a mirror for anyone navigating their own version of the path to self realisation (or going off the cliff right next to it).
Their often hilarious accounts of their own spiritual
horrors and high points provide a breadcrumb trail for anyone who’s secretly wondered:

“Why do I still feel like a hot mess even after all the yoga, breathwork, and self-help books?”

We’re about to roll out a first wave of private screenings & early conversations — and your voice felt like the right energy for this film.

If you’re up for a story that will make your audience spit out their drink in laughter, deeply reflect on their choices and maybe stop chasing their “enlightenment” for five minutes to realise the’re are already there….then Rude Awakening is for you and I’d love to send you a screener.

But if your audience uses names like Broccoli Moon Angel Wing and dont believe in bodily hygene because the soap industry is controlled by Plaedeans…then please delete this mail as this movie will shake up some divine doctrines.

Curious yet?

— Jonathan Kray
Director, Rude Awakening