Dream Scenario (2023)

Nicolas Cage is back, this time not battling bees or stealing Declaration of Independences but facing a much weirder threat: becoming everyone’s nocturnal best friend. In Dream Scenario, Cage plays Paul Matthews, a man whose face suddenly starts popping up in millions of strangers’ dreams, turning him into an overnight sensation. At first, it’s all sunshine and rainbows—talk show appearances, lucrative endorsements, even a fan club of sleepwalkers. But as the line between reality and dreams blurs, Paul’s dream-self morphs into a grotesque, cannibalistic monster, and his waking life becomes a waking nightmare.

Director Kristoffer Borgli crafts a film that’s equal parts hilarious and horrifying, a twisted satire on the fleeting nature of fame and the dark underbelly of the internet age. Think Being John Malkovich meets Inception with a dash of Twilight Zone, and you’ll get a taste of the bizarre brilliance that is Dream Scenario.

Cage, as always, is a force of nature, inhabiting his role with gusto and delivering deadpan lines with a wink and a raised eyebrow. He’s perfectly cast as the bewildered common person thrust into the limelight, his comedic timing impeccable even as his character descends into existential dread. The supporting cast, including Julianne Nicholson as Paul’s long-suffering wife, are equally stellar, adding depth and humour to the story.

The film’s score is a pulsing electronic nightmare, perfectly complementing the unsettling visuals and amplifying the tension. The cinematography is equally inventive, playing with dream logic and distorted perspectives to keep us guessing.

But Dream Scenario isn’t just about the laughs and scares. It’s a film that asks questions about the nature of identity, the power of collective consciousness, and the dangers of a society obsessed with viral fame. It’s a film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll, making you question your own dreams and the reality you wake up to.

Now, it’s not perfect. The pacing can be a bit uneven at times, and the ending, while satisfying, feels a tad rushed and less subtle in its satire than the first two-thirds. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise masterfully crafted film.

Dream Scenario is a wild ride, a waking nightmare that’s both hilarious and thought-provoking. It’s a film that will leave you laughing, gasping, and maybe even questioning your own sanity. Try Dream Scenario if you are in search of a film that is unlike anything you have ever seen before; however, do not hold me responsible if you find yourself unable to sleep afterwards!

(In cinemas — check your local movie guide for show times.)