Dream Scenario
2023
***
Director: Kristoffer Borgli
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Dylan Baker, Tim Meadows, Kate Berlant, Dylan Gelula, Lily Bird, Jessica Clement, Noah Centineo
The life of a meek, boring, and unremarkable biology professor changes drastically when he starts to appear in random people's dreams, first as a passive figure, then as something more sinister. Kristoffer Borgli's first feature in English is a Charlie Kaufmanesque dark comedy that fails to make the most of its intriguing premise. The story initially deals with the fleeting nature of viral fame. In the second half, the comedy makes way for an increasingly irritating and implausible commentary on cancel culture. Borgli really struggles to wrap up his film, and ends up ripping off the final scene of Being John Malkovich. Following Pig, Nicolas Cage gives another likeably understated performance.
