Daniel Isn't Real

Name: Daniel Isn't Real
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Released: December 6, 2019
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Andrew Ayala, Andrew Bridges, Chase Sui Wonders, Chukwudi Iwuji, Daniel Marconi

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Daniel Isn't Real

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Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: December 6, 2019 | Not Rated

Starring: Andrew Ayala, Andrew Bridges, Chase Sui Wonders, Chukwudi Iwuji, Daniel Marconi, Faith Logan, Griffin Robert Faulkner, Hannah Marks, Jacqueline Honulik, Jamar Greene, Katie Chang, Mary Stuart Masterson, Michael Cuomo, Miles Robbins, Nathan Chandler Reid, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Peter McRobbie, Sasha Lane

Summary: Troubled college freshman Luke (Miles Robbins) suffers a violent family trauma and resurrects his childhood imaginary friend Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger) to help him cope. Charismatic and full of manic energy, Daniel helps Luke to achieve his dreams, before pushing him to the very edge of sanity and into a desperate struggle for controlTroubled college freshman Luke (Miles Robbins) suffers a violent family trauma and resurrects his childhood imaginary friend Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger) to help him cope. Charismatic and full of manic energy, Daniel helps Luke to achieve his dreams, before pushing him to the very edge of sanity and into a desperate struggle for control of his mind -- and his soul.… Expand

Director: Adam Egypt Mortimer

Genre(s): Thriller, Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

Chuck Foster

Oct 24, 2019

It’s thoroughly engrossing, entertaining, and a lot of fun from beginning to end. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Dec 4, 2019

Although it eventually settles into familiar genre tropes, for much of its running time Daniel Isn't Real proves a genuinely provocative shocker. Read full review

Katie Rife

Jan 3, 2020

A slick and thrilling take on the intersection of mental illness and creative inspiration that also doubles as a commentary on toxic masculinity. Read full review

Geoff Berkshire

Dec 5, 2019

In supporting roles of varying importance, Masterson, Sasha Lane and Hannah Marks do enough to suggest the film would have been better off giving them more. But Daniel Isn’t Real remains a two-man show, and Robbins and Schwarzenegger are an odd couple worth believing in. Read full review

The Guardian Cath Clarke

Feb 6, 2020

It’s full of plot holes but compulsively watchable for the first hour, before the whole thing falls to pieces as Mortimer chucks in a load of well-worn horror-movie tropes. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

Dec 6, 2019

The best thing I can say about Daniel Isn’t Real is that it’s a promising early feature made by young artists who haven’t yet worked out how to express and/or synthesize what they like about their favorite artists and their work. It’s all style and very little substance. Read full review

Pat Brown

Nov 29, 2019

Its performatively extreme imagery thinly masks a rather banal view of male subjectivity and inner conflict. Read full review

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User Reviews

bartcbem

Mar 2, 2020

This movie took me by surprise, I started watching it expecting your average "spooky story" but Daniel is so much more.

It works on multiple levels and you will enjoy it whether you look for "teenage drama", or "scary horror", or even if you in to more of "psychological thriller" side ofThis movie took me by surprise, I started watching it expecting your average "spooky story" but Daniel is so much more.

It works on multiple levels and you will enjoy it whether you look for "teenage drama", or "scary horror", or even if you in to more of "psychological thriller" side of things.

For me personally it was a really well told story about schizophrenia/multiple personality disorder. I did not expect such a quality from this movie either. The acting from both main leads is surprisingly good, its shoot well, and the spare use of very effective CGI adds to the atmosphere.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLau

Sep 18, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Boy's imaginary friend returns in adulthood, gives him bad advice, makes him hurt people and then, reveals he's a demon.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ChillyMargins

Aug 5, 2022

Fairly strong start, decent finish. A serviceable addition to the genre. If Mile’s in his final portrayal had been a bit stronger and if the latter part of the movie was fresher or more unique it could have stood out a bit more in its genre.

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