'Dream Scenario' grabs you from the very first words of the synopsis, which you can read on the streaming platform before watching. Indeed, it's one of those ideas that inspire delight. But it still needs to be adapted for the screen.

Brief Plot

University professor Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) specializes in the study of collective ant intelligence and dreams of publishing a book he hasn't even started yet. One fine day, Paul discovers that he has begun appearing in the dreams of complete strangers—a phenomenon no one can explain.

Overnight, Paul is swept up in fame and worldwide adoration, becoming one of the most recognizable people on the planet. But such fame must be managed. Moreover, how can one control the behavior of their image in someone else's mind?..

An Ordinary Man and the Dream Hero

The most interesting aspect of the film is undoubtedly the effect of sudden fame on the protagonist. Studying his reaction to society's reaction. As a dissection of a specific character, 'Dream Scenario' handles the task brilliantly.

And the fact that the first two of the film's three acts are devoted to this dissection means that the director and screenwriter Kristoffer Borgli understands this.

Overall, considering the previous work of this relatively 'green' director, 'Sick of Myself', he clearly has enormous potential, and it will be very interesting to watch his career.

At its best moments, the film captivates the viewer, who can draw parallels between Paul's situation and the random, viral popularity of an ordinary person on the internet. At the same time, it frightens with the prospect that managing this popularity is sometimes impossible. Borgli does a subtle job of gradually reproducing on screen the horror of routine in extraordinary circumstances.

But Where Would We Be Without Social Critique

But in the third act, 'Dream Scenario' seems to decide to move away from subtle allegory and shift to very blunt satire. And here the film starts to fall apart a bit.

Because allegory is great precisely because it is often subtle, making the viewer feel very smart if they manage to grasp it—even if not exactly as the author intended. Satire, on the other hand, is almost always quite specific. It points out what it considers wrong and unjust, so that we as a society strive to fix it.

However, criticism of modern influencers and 'cancel culture' in 2023 no longer feels sharp. What is interesting to watch through the example of a specific individual gets lost against the backdrop of general social critique. And if at the beginning comparisons with DiCaprio's character in 'Don't Look Up' didn't come to mind, by the end they are inevitable—simply because the themes become similar.

Evgeny Belousov

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Open material

Moreover, 'Dream Scenario' seems unable to decide what exactly it is criticizing.

Because the character of Paul is drawn quite interestingly—though far from perfect, you definitely want to empathize with him. You genuinely feel for him in many situations, very specifically. And since we empathize with him, does that mean the criticism is directed at what surrounds him?

Bits of the protagonist's biography resemble the story of Jordan Peterson (a university professor who suddenly became famous for his critique of the modern agenda and who was also unpleasantly provoked into public displays of aggression). However, in the film itself, Peterson is mentioned by name in a negative context.

Maybe then it mocks the public's reaction to any apologies from internet celebrities, like Logan Paul? That would also be strange. Because those apologies are mostly insincere, and later the creators mock the internet celebrities themselves.

In short, the creators got a bit lost in toothless and uninteresting satire, losing for a while the thread that made 'Dream Scenario' engaging.

At the same time, the ending itself is quite intriguing and places an ellipsis rather than a period for Paul. And it succeeds.

Verdict

Considering all the above, 'Dream Scenario' is definitely recommended for viewing. Even with its flaws, it's good cinema that can evoke a fairly strong emotional response in many.

Nothing much has been said, by the way, about the supporting actors, and they are very strong here. Julianne Nicholson undoubtedly did a great job. Tim Meadows had a witty cameo, and Dylan Baker's appearance was also very pleasing. But Michael Cera stood out especially; his character turned out very funny.

So if you don't know what to watch during the holidays, go for 'Dream Scenario'.