X
- 2003
- R
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 16 m
- 2003
- R
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 16 m
Summary Dreamcatcher, the film based on Stephen King's best-selling novel, tells of four young friends who perform a heroic act -- and are changed forever by the uncanny powers they gain in return. Years later the friends, now men, are on a hunting trip in the Maine woods when they are overtaken by a blizzard, a vicious storm in which something ...
Directed By: Lawrence Kasdan
Written By: Stephen King, William Goldman, Lawrence Kasdan
- 2003
- R
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 16 m
- 2003
- R
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 16 m
Dreamcatcher
35
5.5
Where to Watch
Summary Dreamcatcher, the film based on Stephen King's best-selling novel, tells of four young friends who perform a heroic act -- and are changed forever by the uncanny powers they gain in return. Years later the friends, now men, are on a hunting trip in the Maine woods when they are overtaken by a blizzard, a vicious storm in which something ...
Directed By: Lawrence Kasdan
Written By: Stephen King, William Goldman, Lawrence Kasdan
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 38 Critic Reviews
35
18% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
39% Mixed
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
42% Negative
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 38 Critic Reviews
35
18% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
39% Mixed
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
42% Negative
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
I think you can say that almost everyone watching this will be spellbound, whether they're stupefied by its insanity, more conventionally compelled by the various horrors in store or a combination of both.
If Dreamcatcher ultimately feels like an unwieldy pastiche, at least it's never boring.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 82 User Ratings
5.5
39% Positive
32 Ratings
32 Ratings
41% Mixed
34 Ratings
34 Ratings
20% Negative
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 82 User Ratings
5.5
39% Positive
32 Ratings
32 Ratings
41% Mixed
34 Ratings
34 Ratings
20% Negative
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
Dreamcatcher is a must watch. It's one of the most underrated movies I have ever seen. There is nothing I don't like about it. And it is actually scary. I highly recommend it.
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I've seen alot of movies of practically every category and to this day this still one of my favorites, I'll admit that I've never read the book but from what I've seen NO movie/tv is ever as good as the book, anyways, I thought this movie had a really cool unique story. In a world of predictable movies and remakes i think this one is definitely worth watching, its also full of good actors
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Condensing, paring and shorthanding the story elements can be daunting, and, despite the efforts of Kasdan and Goldman, two masters at wrangling unwieldy source material into shape, there is some awkwardness and confusion in the result.
A pretty good example of how the studios have taken over the junk that used to be left to the exploitation hacks. The hacks here have millions to work with and the end result isn't nearly as much fun as a cheap, gross horror movie can be.
So often out of control that it becomes absurd and exasperating.
So much is going on, and so many bizarre and seemingly random subplots collide in Dreamcatcher, that the film feels like some crazy patchwork quilt sewn by a schizophrenic seamstress. It’s not only confusing, but dull, as well.
As can be said about many movies, this one is not for everyone. Some films have a broad appeal, this one does not. I love it. As with all Steven King novels/adaptations, it shows what people are capable of (good and bad) by putting them in extreme (read unbelievable) situations. The people in this movie are flawed but noble and offer a good window to the soul. Suspend reality, and commit yourself to the people more than the plot and you can enjoy it as well.
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I am divided by this movie. I like what I see but often thought that I missed some context or a bit of information and this lessens the experience. I thought that they cut out some scenes or could not do all they wanted because of budgetary reasons. Also parts of the story or reveals feel unbelievable. However this could be just me to be fair but others complained about that too to be honest too. It is based on the Stephen King novel Duddits that I have not read. So I cant say if it is a good adaptation and you don't have to endure the unavoidable “The books are better” statement. Stephen King was mostly unlucky with his adaptation. For each Green Mile or Shawshank Redemption there are many poor adaptions of his works. This movie here has a good set up, fascinating ideas and concepts but also misses the higher marks and has some weaknesses too. Story: It is set in 2 time periods like other Stephen Kings stories and the past is told in flashbacks. In the past as children the friends Beaver, Jonesy, Pete and Henry saved the disabled boy Duddits from bullies. They received an incredible gift from him in return. Years later now as adults the four of them have a habit of making an annual hunting trip. However this time it will be something no one anticipated as strange things happen. With this set up the story starts and I keep it spoiler free. Like I already said I am divided. Parts of the story are great and others fail for me. For example the final reveal for Duddits got me immediately out of the immersion and I started to question myself how this is possible and be undetected. The storytelling lacks a bit of coherence. I always felt that I missed something or skipped a part with explanations. I should be a bit more ironed out and I see why others rated this lower. Also while I like the menacing situation I always felt they could do this better. The menace should easily win with their available tools and it reminded me of “Signs” were they do a similar stupid thing. So for the story it is a hit and miss at the same time. Actors / characters: I think we got a good cast with Thomas Jane, Jason Lee, Damian Lewis and Timothy Lewis as the four adult friends and Mikey Holekamp, Giacomo Baessato, Reece Thompson and Joel Palmer as their younger versions. Good performance by all of them and I saw no missteps. Of cause we have Morgan Freeman as Abraham Curtis in a really good performance. I repeat as in many other reviews that there is no bad performance or truly bad movie with Morgan Freeman. Other than those I liked Donnie Wahlberg / Andrew Robb as Duddits and Tom Sizemore as Owen Underhill. We got a good overall performance but those could not save the movie from the weaker storytelling. Presentation wise I thought the movie looked good. While most special effects worked really well there are some exceptions. Overall I see the potential of a better movie underneath the problems. It is not truly awful but also not great. Maybe to much mixture of genres and not enough focus on the strengths of the story like the set up, characters and menace.
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It's a stupid movie. A rather juvenile affair. You've got burping, farting, and aliens crawling out of people's buttholes. However, there is a sense of brilliance and imagination here. Deeper elements going on in the background to make it more mature than it otherwise seems. It really makes me wish I read the book. Unfortunately the movie seems to focus on the stupider elements of the Stephen King novel and leaves the more thoughtful ones to the wayside.
Like most Stephen King stories, this is very character driven. Only it seems somebody forgot to tell the director that. There is painfully little context as to whose these people are or how their little catchphrases, nicknames, and shared insights originated. That's the issue with the movie. It's more intelligent material is left unexplained. It merely lays out the basic plot and asks viewers not to ask questions about the deeper fiction holding all together that was required for it to succeed in the first place. As far as the plot goes, it just leaves you wondering. Baffled as well.
Yep, this body horror is all about the blood, guts, and bodily functions. The movie approaches all of these with a sense of glee and self-amusement. The results are surprisingly not terrible. I can't attest to how well it stays faithful to the source material, but one thing is certain and that's Stephen King certainly got imaginative with this one.
It's all really bat crap crazy. Certainly one of the most unique and unpredictable movies I have ever seen. The cast seems totally committed, even if there is a certain hammy tone to each of their performances at times. It's the level of insanity on display that adds an entertaining nature to the film. It's hard to not be interested in what's going on even if you are just there to look for answers that will never come.
I can't say I totally feel like I wasted my time on this one. I was certainly never bored with it. The plot and immaturity left me disappointed with the overall results, and it's certainly not scary in any way. That being said I still had fun with it even in it's childish of moments. Admittedly despite myself.
Does that mean I can recommend it? Yes and no. If you are looking for a movie truly unlike anything else out there then it's definitely worth a look. It won't leave you completely satisfied with the end results, but at least it will get you thinking. However for those looking for genuine frights and thrills to go along with the gore, as well as a plot that won't leave you frustrated and clueless with it's more compelling elements, then you should likely look elsewhere. Dreamcatcher isn't exactly a bad film. It's definitely got it's enjoyable elements. It's just not exactly a good movie either. That's because it fails to touch on the more complex parts of King's story.
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This film is so bad that if it was just a little bit worse I would consider it "so bad that it's good". But it's not. "Dreamcatcher" is like a student's film. It's clear that the filmmakers had some marvelous ideas. Unfortunately, they had no idea how to execute them.
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Another shi*** movie based on Stephen King's books (like Carrie, It). I haven't read the book, but probably won't like it like the movie. Nothing really special in the sense of a plot, an idea, a development. Super bad made and directed. Not interesting at all. 1/10 just for the try..
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Production Company
Castle Rock Entertainment,
Village Roadshow Pictures,
NPV Entertainment,
Kasdan Pictures,
WV Films II
Release Date Mar 21, 2003
Duration 2 h 16 m
Rating R
Tagline Based on the book by Stephen King
Awards
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
• 2 Nominations
Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA
• 1 Nomination
Teen Choice Awards
• 1 Nomination
