Dream Scenario is this year’s The Menu. A dark comedy gem that must be seen.

Score: 5/5

“I need to see this again.” I have tried starting this review several times, and at the end of the day, that is the thought bouncing around my brain. Dream Scenario is another brilliant film by the production studio A24. The film star’s Nicolas Cage as Paul Matthews, a dull, average, nobody professor who hasn’t done much noteworthy work in his career. Things suddenly begin to change in his life when people all over the world start noticing him in their dreams. What follows is an observation of what happens to a person when they become a viral celebrity through means they have no control over.

What makes this movie work so well is the powerful performance by Nicolas Cage. He always brings it, no matter the movie, but this script seems tailor-made for his acting strengths. Whether it is a scene with Paul having awkward conversations about an ex-partner dreaming about him or Dream-Paul doing something super creepy, Cage sells this like no other. He’s funny, uncomfortable, weird, and scary; his range on display in this movie goes all over the place. It is a delight to watch.

The ridiculous nature of the premise drew my attention, but the reactions from society to Paul kept me glued to my seat. As his dream self starts participating in other’s dreams, things get dark quickly. The response from the public is understandable but also reflects the lack of empathy for what is going on for the person tied to the situation. Paul is treated like a monster when, if anything, he is more of a victim who has no control over the situation. This discussion concerns me when thinking of all the misinformation that can be created with AI tools going forward and how a version of this situation happening to Paul here could happen to any of us. Maybe not on such a large scale, but it could also. For me, it adds extra depth and warning that is usually saved for sci-fi stories.

This is a movie I can’t stop thinking about when looking at the best movies I have seen this year; Dream Scenario is near the top of the list. Will it win awards? Probably not. Comedies and horror typically don’t get that kind of recognition, but at the end of this year, this will have a great chance to be at the top of this blog’s best movies of the year. For fans of Nicolas Cage or not, this is a movie that fans of film should definitely make room for. Find it in a theater if you can; if not, stream it the second you can. It’ll be worth it.