X
- 2023
- R
- A24
- 1 h 42 m
- 2023
- R
- A24
- 1 h 42 m
Summary 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.
Directed By: Kristoffer Borgli
Written By: Kristoffer Borgli
- 2023
- R
- A24
- 1 h 42 m
- 2023
- R
- A24
- 1 h 42 m
Dream Scenario
74
6.9
Where to Watch
Summary 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.
Directed By: Kristoffer Borgli
Written By: Kristoffer Borgli
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 47 Critic Reviews
74
83% Positive
39 Reviews
39 Reviews
17% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 47 Critic Reviews
74
83% Positive
39 Reviews
39 Reviews
17% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The film starts off akin to a tongue-in-cheek “Twilight Zone” episode, then becomes a meditation on fame before transforming into a scathing satire of several things at once: Gen Z, cancel culture, and even the people who complain about cancel culture. Written and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli, it’s bleak and funny and provides Cage with his most satisfying role since 1997’s “Face/Off.”
It’s a savagely funny showcase for Cage at his very best. But the picture sours somewhat in a third act that departs from crisp character study to target cancel culture, losing some of its biting humour in the process.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 79 User Ratings
6.9
70% Positive
55 Ratings
55 Ratings
24% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
6% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 79 User Ratings
6.9
70% Positive
55 Ratings
55 Ratings
24% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
6% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Dream Scenario is a smart and hilarious black comedy that explores the absurdity of fame and the power of dreams. Nicolas Cage delivers a brilliant performance as Paul Matthews, a bored professor who becomes a global sensation after appearing in people’s dreams. The film is full of witty dialogue, surreal situations, and unexpected twists that keep the audience entertained and intrigued. Dream Scenario is a must-see for fans of Cage and dark humor.
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The deeper meaning: the CANCEL CULTURE PSYCHOSIS
The movie is smartly allowing two stories to develop, as during the plandemic: the sleeping majority (vaccinated naives) will see the superficial story **** who gets famous and its negative consequences! The critical thinkers (the unvaccinated) will see the story of a society where the subjective experience of a fringe segment (psychWOKEpaths living in their dysphorian world where men are women and give birth, can be cats and horses, chosing their pronouns and thejr own mental biological or fary-tale projection) will be violently projected outside on people who do not accept their solely subjective experiences with no connection to reality. They are joined and supported by some people in various influential position in society, eager to save their positions, destroying the professional and private life of whoever (symbollicaly, Paul) is not joining these fringe segment of society in their dillusion. ;) Look beyond the appearances! Exceptional movie!
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Silly, strange, and very funny, Dream Scenario is a psycho-comic-drama with a peak Cage Renaissance performance powering it. Don’t sleep on it.
Dream Scenario gets many cringing laughs, and yet its humor—easy shots at vapid capitalist-pawn influencers, cancel culture, Tucker Carlson, and other culture wars Mad Libs—is mostly about the cheap comic thrill of getting the reference.
Dream Scenario is at its best when it’s centering Paul and his inner world, and how his actions and events affect his family.
Like a dream, you’re left with thoughts and impressions to mull over for a long time. These sticky images and profound ideas lodge themselves in place, even if you’re not quite sure they all fit together.
Borgli’s feature is just another somewhat edgy movie that has nothing to say.
Dream Scenario is a refreshing breeze, seamlessly blending humor, emotion, and a touch of surrealism. Their quirks and struggles resonating with authenticity.
Each frame a carefully crafted work of art. The play of light and shadow, coupled with stunning visuals, creates an immersive experience. The film's soundtrack is a symphony that elevates every scene, stirring emotions and enhancing the overall atmosphere.
The ensemble cast delivers infusing life into their characters. Their chemistry is palpable, creating a genuine connection that draws you into their world. Paul portrayal is particularly noteworthy, bringing depth and nuance to the protagonist.
While Dream Scenario excels in many aspects, there are moments where the pacing feels a bit uneven. Some scenes linger longer than necessary, disrupting the otherwise seamless flow of the narrative. Additionally, a few plot twists, while ambitious, may leave some viewers scratching their heads.
Dream Scenario is a testament to the power of storytelling, a visual and emotional odyssey that will resonate with audiences for years to come.
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Surpreendentemente, Nicolas Cage é o menos dos problemas aqui, diria até que salva o filme do desastre. O roteiro parece navegar entre um estudo de um homem e seu caso particular de aparecer em sonho para várias pessoas (e ter que lidar com as consequências disso) e uma crítica à mercantilização do sono, fazendo das horas dormidas um espaço também para a racionalidade instrumental, o que me lembrou muito a tentativa "não onírica" de Nolan em "A origem", mas muito mais bagunçado e sem criatividade alguma.
Os sonhos são frios, chega um momento que a edição se perde entre esquetes e cenas constrangedoras (vergonha alheia a situação que puseram Cage na cena envolvendo tensão sexual). Um excelente argumento sendo bem mal desenvolvido, ao menos conta com uma direção eficiente e atuações que salvam o todo da mediocridade.
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Dream Scenario, to me at least, has one of my favorite premises of the year; Nightmare on Elm Street but based around the most boring man you will ever meet with an aura of dark comedy and designed around tackling the ideas surrounding fame. To me that could be interesting- I dare say that it could be great! And for a lot of people it apparently IS **** not for me. At **** yet. Maybe it'll get there for me, maybe it won't. At the moment, I'm not really sure. I think, in the end, I don't regret watching Dream Scenario. In fact, I think as I let this movie rest with me, I'll maybe come to like it more with time, since if nothing else, I think it will stick with me for a while. Its a real rough watch, but if you can handle it, I think you won't regret it.
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It was such a pleasure to see Nicolas Cage acting again (it has been a while for me), but in the end, it left me disappointed. What I understood as a cautionary tale about the unpredictable nature of public perception, felt like a slow and awkward ride to reveal something I saw coming from far away. Still, I don't dislike it because I am under the impression that the narrative intentionally attempted to play with my expectations and perception of the main character. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes Nicolas Cage.
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“Everything, Everywhere” this is not. Overhyped and boring. Waxes philosophical with nothing much to say. (except maybe about cancel culture and vilification? idk) Nick Cage seems to be drawing from the character he played in the much funnier “Army of One”. Everything interesting in the film is in the trailer.
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Production Company
A24,
Square Peg
Release Date Nov 10, 2023
Duration 1 h 42 m
Rating R
Tagline Meet the man of your dreams.
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Indiana Film Journalists Association, US
• 4 Nominations
Satellite Awards
• 2 Nominations
