Here is a perfect example of “be careful what you wish for.” In this case, college professor Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) didn’t know he wanted to pop up in everyone’s dreams, but he did, until they started turning to nightmares. Writer/Director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself) casts Cage in a role packed with dark comedy, satire, narcissism and even violence.
Cage is known for playing obtuse characters and, here, he is a very dull professor who can barely keep the attention of his students. When suddenly everyone from strangers to friends and students, notice that Matthews is turning up in their dreams. When a journalist posts a story about his “dreaminess” on social media, he becomes a viral sensation. Those that haven’t dreamt about him, want to. Those that have, want to meet him and some even want to re-enact their dream with him. One sexy interaction turns out to be every man’s worst and most embarrassing nightmare.
Cage displays his ability to go from nice guy, to disturbed and angry in a flash, wearing drab, baggy clothes and a very unappealing hairdo. There’s a shiny bald cap on top with a long, scraggily, fringe of brown hair hanging down. Unfortunately, the color and style change throughout the movie making it look totally unrealistic.
Paul’s long-suffering, yet understanding wife Janet (Julianne Nicholson), is bewildered still trying to be the voice of reason while her normally dull husband garners undo attention. She seems more perplexed and perturbed than proud of his new notoriety. But daughter, Hannah (Jessica Clement) likes it which makes Paul think that in the eyes of one of his daughters, he is finally a “cool” Dad. Matt even gets an offer to be the spokesperson for endorsement deals brokered by ludicrous PR exec Trent, (Michael Cera). Matt thinks this could lead to a real dream come true to finally publish a book.
But this sudden avalanche of attention changes drastically when his presence in others’ dreams turns malevolent. Paul becomes a pariah getting drawn into situations so unlike anything in his experience. This is where the film turns ugly. He gets fired from his teaching position by his superior Brett (Tim Meadows), and his happy marriage turns sour when Janet kicks him out of their house.
Paul stays calm, still looking like that dumpy middle-aged professor, but is terrorized by the thought of being the monster everyone now thinks he is. He has no idea how others will react to him or how he will react in turn. Known for playing outlandish characters, Borgli turns Cage’s Paul into an historical footnote of mass hysteria and a poster child for “cancel culture.” And Dream Scenario could very well be a sleeper hit.
A24 1 hour 42 minutes R
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