When director Alex Woo presented the animated film “In Your Dreams” to actor Simu Liu, Liu found it compelling to depict a family that experiences conflict. He highlighted the common portrayal of families in media as always happy and perfect, emphasizing that “it’s just not true” and that children should also see reflections of families that are imperfect. Liu, known for his role in Marvel’s “Shang-Chi,” stressed the importance of providing children with images that convey the reality of familial relationships.
Set to release in theaters on Friday, “In Your Dreams” is an adventure-comedy animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks. The story revolves around siblings Stevie, voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, and Eliot, voiced by Elias Janssen, who embark on a quest to find The Sandman, a mystical figure who they believe can mend their parents’ troubled marriage. The film also features acclaimed actors Cristin Milioti and Craig Robinson, who lend their voices to key characters, amplifying the emotional weight of the narrative.
Milioti, an Emmy winner, expressed her excitement about a memorable duet with Liu, which captures the strained but ultimately loving dynamics between married parents. She noted that this moment is one of the film’s highlights, underscoring its exploration of real-life challenges within familial relationships. The character of Stevie confronts the realization that there’s no simple, magical solution to life’s difficulties, as she navigates her belief that she can single-handedly keep the family together.
This theme of exploring authentic family dynamics aligns with a broader trend in animated films, as seen in recent works like Zoe Saldana’s “Elio,” which similarly addresses the complexities between parents and their children. These films are contributing to a cinematic landscape that encourages audiences to engage with themes of vulnerability, connection, and the beauty of imperfection within family life.
As “In Your Dreams” aims to resonate with audiences through its heartfelt narrative, it embodies hope for a future where stories that reflect real family issues take precedence, fostering connections among viewers and allowing for deeper conversations about love and understanding.