TIFF 2023: Dream Scenario Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

Original films don’t seem to come along nearly as often as they used to so whenever one shows up, it should be applauded regardless of whether or not they are successful. Though they don’t always are, at least, they try to offer something different. Dream Scenario is a film that brings something different to the table to great success. This part dark horror comedy and part satire delivers an absolutely wild watch that thrives on the reliable charm of Nicolas Cage who just fits here to a tee. Boasting a premise that the film could have easily gone overboard with on paper, it doesn’t lose itself and remains restrained, running at around the 100-minute mark. Centered around dreams, it sets it sights on cancel culture and groupthink and that connection works. Hilarious, touching, and sometimes tense and scary, it is a journey to say the least but it is one worth taking. However, it is one that is best going into blind in order to get the full experience. 

Dream Scenario follows Paul Matthews (Cage), a college professor and family man whose life is turned upside down as millions of people begin to see him in their dreams. Uncomfortable with being the center of attention, the intelligent yet socially-awkward professor became a celebrity overnight. Looking to get his due for seemingly most of his professional life, Matthews tried to leverage his newfound fame to his favor with the help of a PR firm who looked to leverage him for their own means. However, as the world continued to evolve and the dreams escalated into terrifying nightmares, his celebrity status began to slip away. That being said, using the dreams, going from the wild to the absurd, to interpret society and how they banded together was interesting as their near-unanimous praise quickly changed to near-unanimous fear. Meanwhile, Matthews’ rise and subsequent fall had an impact on his family, including his wife (Nicholson). As he spiraled, the line between he and his dream version grew increasingly blurred. Fighting the the mounting misconceptions being made about him tore him apart until somehow, things changed. While his nightmare was over, his plight merely opened the door for others. 

The best part of Dream Scenario is of course Cage’s performance as Matthews. The writing is also strong but the film would not have worked without him holding it together. A star in his own right, he looked the total opposite here though he was just as compelling which is only a testament to his range. Matthews was a lovable loser but Cage made it easy to relate to and empathize with him. Nicholson was strong as his wife while Cera brought a fun energy as the leader of the PR film trying to take advantage of Matthews.

At the end of the day, Dream Scenario is an original film that will challenge audiences through a wild emotional rollercoaster led by the reliable Nicolas Cage.

*still courtesy of VVS Films*

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.