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)Plots(1)
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 (11)
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.
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Dream Scenario benefits mainly from the novel premise and the performance of Nicolas Cage, whose character, Paul, becomes the target of both unprecedented admiration and cruel hatred, with both completely contradictory emotional levels based not on the real world, but on the dream world – which makes the ending of the film all the more absurd. Kristoffer Borgli plays with the theme of cancel culture in an unconventional way, and by incorporating dream sequences, his satire takes on fantasy, even horror, dimensions. There are a few humorous sequences, but the feelings with the film as a whole are rather chilling. A truly unconventional piece that, despite the somewhat questionable ending, makes you think.
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From Princess Belle to Freddy Krueger, or the zebra beta male led out of the herd without his own doing and subsequently driven back by predatory beasts. The allegorical parade of glory adorned with its intoxicating value, the price paid, and rapidly approaching transience arrives with an interesting editing style that plays with the viewer's orientation in time and space, Allen-esque autumnal conversations, and a few scenes that supposedly make some people want to gouge out their eyes (Professor Matthews does not care about infidelity). The idea of the final showdown is evident, but the question is whether it was justified. Cage has been fitting well in roles with elements of self-reflection lately.
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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.
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“The best film of the year with a perfect and original idea and great acting by Nicolas Cage. The dictionary definition of an A24 film, a well-directed piece with impeccable comedic timing, but one that can also strike a darker chord," that’s what I would have written if they hadn't strangely switched gears in the final fifteen minutes – after the school play scene – and the film hadn't fizzled out. It's a shame and I can't quite explain it, the ending really feels like Borgli ran out of time and didn't manage to write and film the climax the rest of the film deserved. Still, I'll burn a five star rating, I've been rather stingy with them this year and Dream Scenario towers high above the usual surrounding stuff despite the stumble. PS: Kristoffer Borgli is the discovery of the year for me – I recommend his previous film Sick of Myself, which is also about a man who craves attention, and in a bizarre way gets it.
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