'In Your Dreams' Review: Seeking Sibling Solidarity
The original animated film arrives on Netflix features Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti as parents of a young woman who wants her dreams to come true.
On the brink of adolescence, Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) is always seeking solace.
Instead, she constantly fights with her younger brother, Elliot (Elias Janssen), who, frankly, is annoying, and her parents (Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti), who have problems of their own. Mom has been offered the prospect of a job, but it’s in another state. Dad fights this idea, but he’s not been able to provide materially for the family.
Against this strained backdrop, Stevie wishes for her family to return to how she remembered it: calm, peaceful, and loving. Of course, memories are never 100% accurate, but it’s what Stevie wants, and she dreams about a happier life. What is that could come true, though? And what about this legendary Sandman, who is reportedly — according to People Who Know These Things — able to make one’s dreams come true.
Now streaming on Netflix, In Your Dreams purports to answer that question by sending Stevie and Elliot on a wild journey through their own individual dreams. Directed by Alexander Woo and co-directed by Erik Benson, the film is based on their original screenplay, which makes it stand out amidst all the IP adaptations that float the worldwide animation boat.
The dreams of children are fertile territory for imagination, and the film is replete with wild, implausible ideas that are conjured up by the children. Initially, they keep scaring one another with bad dreams, nightmare visions that prompt them to wake up instantly, for fear that they might die in real life in they dream it so. Of course, that’s nonsense, and the children soon realize that, and try their best to move forward on their goal of making their dreams come true.
Never fear: the children will get to where they want to go, but first they must learn some important Life Lessons — oh, and learn to appreciate their parents and each other much more than they do. The lessons are taught with a kind and gentle tone, which makes it easy to absorb, both for children and adults.
As an adult without children, In Your Dreams is pleasantly filled with dreamy visuals and near constant action, which makes for a satisfying watch and an easy recommendation.