‘In Your Dreams’ Teaches a Hard Lesson: No ‘Magic Solution’ for Life

The new animated film “In Your Dreams” is not afraid to teach a hard lesson. Its young protagonist, Stevie, learns that “there is no magic solution to real-life problems.” This realistic message is at the core of the adventure-comedy, which opens in theaters this Friday.
Stevie, voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, and her brother Elliot (Elias Janssen) are trying to save their parents’ marriage. They journey to find The Sandman, believing he can magically “fix” their family. Stevie starts out thinking “I can fix this on my own,” but her journey is one of discovery.
This anti-fairy tale approach is what attracted its star-studded cast. Simu Liu, who voices the father, was “fascinated” by the idea of showing a “real family that argues.” He believes “it’s important” for kids to see “imperfect” families, calling the “always happy” trope “not true.”
Directed by Alex Woo (Pixar alum) and animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks, the film also stars Cristin Milioti as the Mom and Craig Robinson as Baloney Tony. Milioti and Liu even share a “beautiful” duet, a fleeting moment of harmony.
The film’s conclusion is what sets it apart. By having its young hero accept a hard truth, “In Your Dreams” offers a more profound and comforting message than a simple “happily ever after.”