The new animated adventure “In Your Dreams” sends its young heroes on a fantastical quest, but their goal is rooted in a painfully real problem. The film follows siblings Stevie and Elliot, who journey to find The Sandman. Their hope is that this mythical being can magically save the marriage of their parents, who are struggling with conflict.
This blend of magic and reality allows the film, opening Friday, to explore complex themes in an accessible way. The core message, championed by star Simu Liu, is that “real families fight.” Liu, who voices the father, has praised the film for rejecting the “false” narrative of the “always happy” family, calling it “just not true” and “important” for kids to see.
The siblings are voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Stevie) and Elias Janssen (Elliot). Their parents are played by Liu and Cristin Milioti, with Craig Robinson also starring as Baloney Tony. The children’s quest is a touching, if naive, attempt to control a situation far beyond their understanding, a feeling many children in similar situations can relate to.
Directed by Alex Woo, an alum of the “Ratatouille” creative team, the film is described as an adventure-comedy. It finds humor and heart in its difficult subject matter, ensuring the story is engaging and entertaining, not just didactic. A “beautiful” duet between the parents, Liu and Milioti, provides a key moment of harmony, which Milioti called a “really great” song.
The film’s most powerful beat is its refusal of an easy answer. The quest does not end with a simple magical fix. Instead, the young protagonist, Stevie, must learn to accept that “there is no magic solution to real-life problems.” This honest and mature conclusion is what makes “In Your Dreams” a necessary and refreshing addition to the family film landscape.