Dream Scenario

“The best film of the year with a perfect and original idea and great acting by Nicolas Cage. The dictionary definition of an A24 film, a well-directed piece with impeccable comedic timing, but one that can also strike a darker chord," that’s what I would have written if they hadn't strangely switched gears in the final fifteen minutes – after the school play scene – and the film hadn't fizzled out. It's a shame and I can't quite explain it, the ending really feels like Borgli ran out of time and didn't manage to write and film the climax the rest of the film deserved. Still, I'll burn a five star rating, I've been rather stingy with them this year and Dream Scenario towers high above the usual surrounding stuff despite the stumble. PS: Kristoffer Borgli is the discovery of the year for me – I recommend his previous film Sick of Myself, which is also about a man who craves attention, and in a bizarre way gets it. (23.12.2023)

Borgli has great ideas, but he’s not able to bring them to fruition. Compared to Sick of Myself, which was irritatingly aggressive and stupid, his new film is slightly more refined. In the first half, which concentratedly works with simplicity, awkwardness and an acting masterclass on the part of Cage, it’s even one of the best black comedies that I’ve seen recently. Unfortunately, when Borgli spreads his wings and starts satirising cancel culture and the influencer vacuum through dreams, the film suddenly comes across as completely clueless and toothless. Fortunately, Cage’s professor is such a fascinating and ambiguous character, whose guilt consists primarily in thinly disguised egoism, that the film never completely falls apart. But where it was supposed to punch you in the mouth, it rather just dissipates and leaves behind the odour of the nervous fart in the film’s unquestionably best scene. (16.01.2024)

For the vast majority of the film's running time I was excitedly thinking that I must be dreaming, it can't be that good. And "I can't believe it" was also what I said during the epilogue, but in a completely different sense. After all, it's not possible that one and the same person is able to write a concept like Kaufman, direct it like Gondry, and then send the whole thing down the drain because he figured he'd get away with it (when he didn't need to) with a final 15-minute epilogue from a different cupboard, one with unused ideas from a dozen Black Mirror episodes, and he just pulled out the worst possible option on a whim. That the same creator thought “yeah, this is a good ending” still boggles my mind. A satirical mirror-setting, a family drama about the breakup of a family, a more-than-successful Freddy origin story, a pint-sized comedy working brilliantly with the awkwardness of the moment, the Jung in us and you. It works on all levels. The plot, however fanciful, unfolds on a believable ground level of "yeah, this is how it could be if it were happening". One of the films of the year diluted (read shattered) by an eye-rolling conclusion. (19.12.2023)

After a long time, Nicolas Cage stars in something that is not in entertaining or a crazy B-movie, but a serious drama from the A24 studio, and is probably something few people expected. Dream Scenario has a very original thought-provoking concept. The main character starts appearing in people's dreams out of nowhere and becomes a viral phenomenon. As a professor, he desired fame and attention, so he is happy about it. But then he starts appearing to people in nightmares and Cage becomes hated by society. It is a pretty scary idea that something he is not responsible for could ruin his life. This is all fine, just a shame that there were very few of those dream sequences themselves (which are quite good), they could have taken up more time. I didn't find it funny at all, so I don't understand the comedy classification. Cage plays naturally, and since he is a professor, he has intelligent dialogues. It's a shame that in the end, when there could have been a significant twist, nothing happens, it just fizzles out. It is an interesting film that deserves attention, but I could imagine it being more audience-friendly. I would rate it between 3-4 stars, but this time I lean towards three. 65% (04.01.2024)

Well, I must be dreaming! I once got scolded for something I did or said in a dream... Interesting premise, skillful execution, albeit with a slightly underwhelming ending, and most importantly, Nicolas Cage's big comeback. Kristoffer Borgli does a great job with modern trends and the fickleness of human favour. I was expecting some sort of climax towards the end, a lingering denouement rather than a reconciliatory epilogue. A possible prequel to Nolan's Inception? (27.12.2023)

A great idea, an excellent Nicolas Cage, Woody Allen-like marital dialogue... And such an unnecessarily VERY rushed ending, I felt sorry for it. It's as if someone suddenly noticed that the budget had been slashed and there were only a few dollars left. Too bad, too bad, it felt completely like a sudden awakening from a dream you didn't care for. (12.02.2024)

Dream Scenario is a satirical fantasy comedy that follows the fate of a shy and curmudgeonly college professor who suddenly starts appearing in the dreams of hundreds of people. While he initially enjoys his bizarre fame, reality slowly begins to turn into a nightmare. The film subtly opens up the theme of cancel culture and is a solid addition to quality films like The Hunt or Tar, even though it approaches the subject with lightness and humour (quite dark, it must be said). Nicolas Cage shines in one of his most ambitious projects in recent years, and you'll love his neurotic goofball. Finally, I'll add a little warning. If you see the trailer, you'll be given away significant parts of the film, including some of the funniest scenes. So be careful how much you dose yourself with information about this film before watching it. (14.10.2023)

A remarkable yet rather simple satire about fame and its transmutations, renown on social networks, internet celebrity, over-sensitivity in today’s world and cancel culture. Nicolas Cage excels in the role of the ordinary bored professor who suddenly starts to appear in millions of people’s dreams. It’s as if he is a living meme who is capable of being funny, scary, sorrowful and embarrassing. It’s also worth mentioning the entertaining dream sequences and surrealistic atmosphere, though the whole high-concept metaphor is only partly effective, as it doesn’t go very deep and is exceedingly literal. (14.10.2023)

Dream Scenario benefits mainly from the novel premise and the performance of Nicolas Cage, whose character, Paul, becomes the target of both unprecedented admiration and cruel hatred, with both completely contradictory emotional levels based not on the real world, but on the dream world – which makes the ending of the film all the more absurd. Kristoffer Borgli plays with the theme of cancel culture in an unconventional way, and by incorporating dream sequences, his satire takes on fantasy, even horror, dimensions. There are a few humorous sequences, but the feelings with the film as a whole are rather chilling. A truly unconventional piece that, despite the somewhat questionable ending, makes you think. (25.01.2024)