Reviews
in your dreams
In Your Dreams serves as Netflix’s contender in this year’s best animation race, and if it bears a striking resemblance to some Pixar films you’ve seen before, there’s a very good reason for that. The movie marks the directorial debut of Alex Woo, a former Pixar story artist best known for his work on Ratatouille and Wall-E. After leaving the animation giant, Woo founded Kuku Studios, with In Your Dreams serving as the first feature outing for both himself and the studio. If this debut is any indication, there is a bright future ahead.
Woo, alongside his fellow screenwriter Erick Benson, hasn’t created anything narratively groundbreaking. The story explores the theme of a failing marriage through the eyes of a child who is just old enough to understand what divorce means and how it will change the dynamics of their family. While the film doesn’t offer much in terms of originality, its lively and endearing voice acting, comforting family humour, and imaginative animated set pieces make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all ages, which is an achievement in itself.
The movie follows Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport), a twelve-year-old girl who is remarkably mature for her age and has the patience of a saint, especially when dealing with her mischievous younger brother Elliot (Elias Janssen), whose favourite hobby is annoying her with endless magic tricks. Their parents, Michael (Simu Liu) and Jenn (Cristin Milioti), are relatable to many families today, struggling to make ends meet as financial stress begins to create cracks in their relationship. This tension eventually leads to the prospect of divorce and Jenn’s decision to move away to the city.
During a trip to a local thrift store, Stevie and Elliot stumble upon a magical book titled The Legend of the Sandman, which promises to make all their dreams come true. To make these dreams a reality, the pair must travel through the dream realm and find the Sandman, who has the power to grant their wishes. It is within these dreamscapes that the movie is at its most imaginative, offering a series of visually striking and creative scenes that bring childhood fantasies to life. Along the way, the siblings face the mysterious Nightmara (Gia Carides), whose mission seems to be scaring them awake before they can reach the Sandman (Omid Djalili). As expected, once they finally reach what they believed to be the promised land of the Sandman’s kingdom, all is not as it seems.
Whether it is riding a horse-like bed into the clouds, the reuniting of Elliot with his beloved childhood stuffed toy Baloney Tony (Craig Robinson), or the epic dark sequences of Nightmara’s nightmares, the dream realm holds some of the most compelling and entertaining sequences of the entire movie. Visually, these scenes are a feast, with vibrant colours bouncing off the screen and the craftsmanship of the animators fully on display, allowing their talent to shine through for the first time.
You can certainly draw comparisons between In Your Dreams and other animated films, even down to the finer details of its characters. Stevie bears a strong resemblance to Riley from Inside Out, both in appearance and personality. It is also hard not to think of Bing Bong when Baloney Tony appears on screen, as the two share a similar sense of warmth and whimsy. This familiarity does not detract from the film, however, as the voice cast brings these characters to life in ways that make them memorable and relatable in their own right.
The script is also very strong. Many films tend to demonise one or both parents when depicting a marriage breakdown, but In Your Dreams avoids this entirely. Instead, it takes a mature approach to the disconnect between the adults while presenting it in a way that is relatable to both children and adults. This makes the film a family experience that viewers of all ages can enjoy, relate to, and hopefully even learn from. Beneath its charming humour, the movie delivers meaningful lessons in a subtle and heartfelt way, making its messages resonate without ever feeling heavy-handed.
While narratively it is largely predictable, particularly with the Sandman’s promise being too good to be true, the imaginative dream sequences, heartfelt messaging, and the siblings’ beautifully portrayed bond make In Your Dreams a genuinely charming delight. The film is surprisingly entertaining throughout and serves as a strong debut for Alex Woo, leaving audiences excited to see what he has next up his sleeve.
