Hollywood’s animated offerings are taking a brave step away from idealized perfection with the new adventure-comedy “In Your Dreams.” This Netflix and theatrical release is making headlines for its deliberate choice to show the cracks in the family foundation. Instead of presenting a world where parents never disagree, this film dives headfirst into domestic strife, centering its plot on two children attempting to cope with the potential separation of their parents. It’s a mature theme handled within an accessible, animated framework.
The film’s realistic approach was a major draw for its star-studded cast. Simu Liu, who voices the father, has been particularly outspoken about the project’s importance. The Marvel star noted that children are too often shown “happy, always smiling” families that “never fight,” which he labels as simply “not true.” Liu, a China-born Canadian actor, stressed the importance of providing kids with imagery that reflects the imperfect, complex nature of real-life family dynamics.
The story is guided by the vision of director Alex Woo, an alumnus of the legendary Pixar animation studio. Having honed his craft as a storyboard artist on classics like “Ratatouille” and “WALL·E,” Woo brings a strong storytelling pedigree to this project. The plot he directs follows siblings Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (Elias Janssen) as they venture into a magical realm. They are desperately searching for The Sandman, believing he possesses the power to magically repair their parents’ fracturing marriage.
The voice cast is rounded out by significant talent. Cristin Milioti, an Emmy and Grammy winner, plays the Mom, while “The Office” favorite Craig Robinson lends his comedic timing to the role of Baloney Tony, a stuffed animal companion. Milioti highlighted a duet performed with her co-star Simu Liu, describing a song that showcases the strained couple in a rare moment of harmony, calling it a “really great” and “beautiful moment in the film.”
The emotional core of the film rests on Stevie’s realization, as explained by actor Hoang-Rappaport. The young protagonist grapples with the discovery that there is no “magic solution” to complex adult problems. She must learn that despite her desire to “fix this on my own,” real-life challenges take work, honesty, and an acceptance that life doesn’t always adhere to a perfect plan. “In Your Dreams” ultimately validates the messy, imperfect, and loving nature of real families.