The new animated film “In Your Dreams” is not shying away from difficult subjects. The adventure-comedy, which opens in theaters on Friday, centers on two children, Stevie and Elliot, who are grappling with the potential divorce of their parents. In a desperate attempt to regain control, they embark on a magical journey to find The Sandman, hoping he can “fix” their family.
This mature storyline is a deliberate choice by director Alex Woo, who previously worked on Pixar films like “WALL·E.” Woo’s goal is to tell a story that feels emotionally resonant and real, even within its fantastical setting. This approach is what attracted a high-profile cast, including Simu Liu (‘Shang-Chi’) and Cristin Milioti (‘Once’) as the struggling parents.
Simu Liu, in particular, has championed the film’s honest portrayal of domestic life. He criticized the “false” and “not true” media narrative of “always happy” families, stating, “I think it’s important that kids have imagery of families that aren’t perfect.” Liu’s character, the father, is part of this imperfect, relatable family unit.
The film, animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks, also features the comedic talent of Craig Robinson as a stuffed animal, Baloney Tony, who joins the kids on their quest. Amid the adventure and comedy, the film makes space for artful, emotional moments, including a duet between Liu and Milioti that the latter called a “beautiful moment” of harmony.
The film’s ultimate lesson is one of acceptance. Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, who voices Stevie, explains that her character “grapples with the discovery that there is no magic solution to real-life problems.” The film ends not with a magical wish fulfilled, but with the hard-won understanding that real life is complex, messy, and doesn’t always go according to plan.