Directed by:
Kristoffer BorgliScreenplay:
Kristoffer BorgliCinematography:
Benjamin LoebComposer:
Owen PallettCast:
Nicolas Cage, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Dylan Gelula, Dylan Baker, Jessica Clement, Lily Bird, Star Slade, Kaleb Horn, Liz Adjei (more)VOD (5)
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Hapless family man Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. But when his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom, in this wickedly entertaining comedy from writer-director Kristoffer Borgli and producer Ari Aster. (A24)
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Reviews (13)
Dream Scenario is a satirical fantasy comedy that follows the fate of a shy and curmudgeonly college professor who suddenly starts appearing in the dreams of hundreds of people. While he initially enjoys his bizarre fame, reality slowly begins to turn into a nightmare. The film subtly opens up the theme of cancel culture and is a solid addition to quality films like The Hunt or Tar, even though it approaches the subject with lightness and humour (quite dark, it must be said). Nicolas Cage shines in one of his most ambitious projects in recent years, and you'll love his neurotic goofball. Finally, I'll add a little warning. If you see the trailer, you'll be given away significant parts of the film, including some of the funniest scenes. So be careful how much you dose yourself with information about this film before watching it. ()
A remarkable yet rather simple satire about fame and its transmutations, renown on social networks, internet celebrity, over-sensitivity in today’s world and cancel culture. Nicolas Cage excels in the role of the ordinary bored professor who suddenly starts to appear in millions of people’s dreams. It’s as if he is a living meme who is capable of being funny, scary, sorrowful and embarrassing. It’s also worth mentioning the entertaining dream sequences and surrealistic atmosphere, though the whole high-concept metaphor is only partly effective, as it doesn’t go very deep and is exceedingly literal. ()
After a long time, Nicolas Cage stars in something that is not in entertaining or a crazy B-movie, but a serious drama from the A24 studio, and is probably something few people expected. Dream Scenario has a very original thought-provoking concept. The main character starts appearing in people's dreams out of nowhere and becomes a viral phenomenon. As a professor, he desired fame and attention, so he is happy about it. But then he starts appearing to people in nightmares and Cage becomes hated by society. It is a pretty scary idea that something he is not responsible for could ruin his life. This is all fine, just a shame that there were very few of those dream sequences themselves (which are quite good), they could have taken up more time. I didn't find it funny at all, so I don't understand the comedy classification. Cage plays naturally, and since he is a professor, he has intelligent dialogues. It's a shame that in the end, when there could have been a significant twist, nothing happens, it just fizzles out. It is an interesting film that deserves attention, but I could imagine it being more audience-friendly. I would rate it between 3-4 stars, but this time I lean towards three. 65% ()
A solid modern allegory with a touch of Kaufman vibes, and I really enjoyed it. A big part of that is Nicolas Cage in the lead, playing it deliberately average, almost dull—and yet, you still buy into the underlying madness brewing in his head. It's minimalist in its humor, but the concept is something every true film lover should want to see. ()
Borgli has great ideas, but he’s not able to bring them to fruition. Compared to Sick of Myself, which was irritatingly aggressive and stupid, his new film is slightly more refined. In the first half, which concentratedly works with simplicity, awkwardness and an acting masterclass on the part of Cage, it’s even one of the best black comedies that I’ve seen recently. Unfortunately, when Borgli spreads his wings and starts satirising cancel culture and the influencer vacuum through dreams, the film suddenly comes across as completely clueless and toothless. Fortunately, Cage’s professor is such a fascinating and ambiguous character, whose guilt consists primarily in thinly disguised egoism, that the film never completely falls apart. But where it was supposed to punch you in the mouth, it rather just dissipates and leaves behind the odour of the nervous fart in the film’s unquestionably best scene. ()
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