Nicolas Cage is a gem. His career has spanned decades, and this year has seen him in films like Renfield, Sympathy for the Devil, The Retirement Plan, The Old Way, and even a brief cameo in The Flash. His sixth movie of 2023 is an A24 film produced by Ari Aster and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. Dream Scenario plunges audiences into the surreal yet oddly relatable existence of Paul Matthews (Cage), a man whose life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that the entire world dreams of him.
At the heart of this film lies Cage’s portrayal of Paul, a character oozing with insecurities, seeking recognition for his work, and grappling with the weight of how society perceives him. Cage masterfully embodies Paul, navigating a complex emotional landscape that oscillates between self-deprecation and a desperate yearning for validation. We see how this connects with his past, and Cage makes Paul feel like a truly lived-in character. Cage wears makeup to make him look different from how we’re used to seeing him, and it helps him realistically look like a college professor. Not only does Cage look the part, but he captures the vulnerability of a man caught in the unforgiving glare of public opinion.
One of the most brilliant aspects of Dream Scenario is how Paul uses his newfound fame to his advantage. The premise is original and lends itself to surreal, fantastical moments. While we do get the wild visuals of Cage walking through an earthquake, the most exciting aspect is how Paul capitalizes on his fame by attempting to receive the recognition he never got for his work decades prior. He is not content with his life as a college professor, and he sees his shot at fame by becoming a cultural phenomenon, even though everything in the dreams is out of his control. Borgli’s screenplay delicately weaves the darkly humorous moments with profound introspection, and Cage delivers these nuances effortlessly.
The chemistry between Paul and his wife, Janet (Julianne Nicholson), is played with exquisite authenticity. Their dialogue brims with genuine emotion, presenting a realistic depiction of a relationship strained by fame’s pressures and an undercurrent of jealousy. The humor that peppers their exchanges adds a layer of warmth and relatability to their struggles. Borgli navigates the themes of cancel culture and the court of public opinion with finesse. The narrative delves deep into the ramifications of society’s judgmental gaze, exploring the consequences of being thrust into the spotlight without consent.
Dream Scenario features the type of premise that seems so simple you wish you would have thought of it. Although the beginning is an easy-to-understand concept, it only gets darker and funnier as the film progresses. The actions that Paul performs in the dreams start as nothing but then become increasingly darker. Cage commits to this perfectly, and the dream sequences feel authentic to the pictures we see when we sleep at night. Borgli’s direction seamlessly blends the surreal elements with a grounded, human story, creating an immersive experience that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.
And speaking of the finish, the ending is nothing short of breathtaking. Cage’s portrayal of Paul reaches a crescendo of tragedy and redemption that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. It’s a beautiful payoff that pulls at your heartstrings. At the core of Dream Scenario is Borgli’s exceptional screenplay and direction. The way he crafts each scene is a testament to his storytelling prowess. His ability to extract raw, compelling performances from the cast elevates Dream Scenario to a league of its own. The film manages to be hilarious and brutal to imagine at the same time.
This movie offers a uniquely powerful experience. Cage has had a remarkable movie career, which makes the fact that his character is so unremarkable a beautiful juxtaposition. Michael Cera makes a meal out of his limited screen time. Furthermore, even though it can be uncomfortable to watch movies attempt to represent Gen Z accurately, this movie does a superb job. Paul is a fascinating protagonist because he’s not the person you would typically imagine as a main character in a film. He’s dull, but he has a lot going on underneath the surface. And when he gets catapulted into this unfamiliar situation, he is a fish out of water, fighting to adapt as the circumstances get darker and stranger.
Borgli taps into something truly spectacular with Dream Scenario, a film that will take you by surprise at every turn. It’s a movie about the popularity of “trauma,” the idea of playing the victim, and the fact that people will turn on someone with horrifying ease. It’s not a smug send-up of modern reality as much as it is a hilarious, beautifully told story of seeking recognition and wanting to become something greater than yourself while not seeing all the good in front of you.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Dream Scenario review.
