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Key Takeaways:
- “Dream Scenario” is a new film directed by Kristoffer Borgli and starring Nicolas Cage.
- The film explores the surreal premise of a man named Paul Matthews appearing in people’s dreams.
- “Dream Scenario” is a mix of comedy, horror, and fantasy, sharing postmodern elements with Cage’s previous works.
- Paul Matthews, played by Cage, is an unremarkable college professor who becomes an overnight celebrity when he starts appearing in strangers’ dreams.
- The film raises questions about the nature of dreams, fame, and social media.
“Dream Scenario”: A Surreal Exploration of Dreams and Fame
Just when you thought Nicolas Cage’s filmography couldn’t get any weirder, along comes Kristoffer Borgli’s “Dream Scenario” to mess with your head. In this new film, Cage plays the character of Paul Matthews, a schlubby college professor who becomes a viral celebrity when he starts appearing in people’s dreams.
Borgli, a Norwegian director making his English-language debut for A24, approaches the surreal premise of the film with a tone that is both comedic and sinister. “Dream Scenario” is a mix of fantasy, fable, and horror, drawing inspiration from Cage’s previous boundary-pushing works like “Adaptation” and “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.”
Paul Matthews is an unremarkable everyman, dressed in drab clothes and with a receding hairline. He leads a relatively stable life with his wife and daughters, until the strange phenomenon of appearing in people’s dreams disrupts everything. Suddenly, Paul goes from being invisible to a celebrity, with his classes filling up and strangers approaching him to share their dreams.
The film raises intriguing questions about the nature of dreams and fame. No explanation is given for why Paul is invading strangers’ dreams or why certain people are unaffected. The lack of answers adds to the surreal and dream-like quality of the film.
As Paul embraces his newfound celebrity status, he also faces the downside of fame. Strangers pick fights with him, his car is vandalized, and he is put on leave from his job. The film raises themes of cancel culture, going viral, and the fleeting nature of fame.
Borgli keeps audiences guessing throughout the film, as the way Paul appears in people’s dreams starts to change. The introduction of a technology that can project influencers into dreams adds another layer to the story, suggesting a commentary on social media and the impact of viral celebrities.
Nicolas Cage delivers an uncommonly low-key performance as Paul Matthews, humanizing the experience of fame and leaving audiences with plenty to think about.