‘In Your Dreams’ Review: A Heartfelt Animated Journey Through the Subconscious
Netflix’s Latest Adventure Balances Whimsical Dreamscapes with Real-World Family Tensions
Netflix’s newest animated feature, In Your Dreams, delivers a visually inventive and emotionally grounded family adventure that takes siblings Stevie and Elliot on an extraordinary quest into the bizarre and often chaotic landscape of their own dreams. Directed by former Pixar story artist Alex Woo in his feature directorial debut, the film successfully blends surreal fantasy with the very real anxieties of a child facing family strife.
Released in November 2025, the film quickly became a talking point for its mature handling of a sensitive topic and its stunning animation, reminiscent of Pixar’s golden era, a testament to Woo’s background on films like Ratatouille and WALL-E.
The Plot: A Wish to Fix the ‘Perfect Family’
The story centres on 12-year-old Stevie (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport), a girl sensitive to the increasing tension between her musician father (Simu Liu) and teacher mother (Cristin Milioti). When their mother considers a job out of town, the potential fracture of their family becomes palpable.
Convinced she can restore her parents’ harmonious relationship—the “perfect family” she dreams of—Stevie and her younger, high-energy brother Elliot (Elias Janssen) stumble upon an old book detailing the legend of The Sandman (Omid Djalili), a mythical figure said to grant a dreamer’s ultimate wish.
H3: The Quest into the Dream World
The quest immediately transports the siblings into a shared dream world—a vibrant, unpredictable space populated by everything from talking stuffed animals to zombie breakfast foods. They are joined by Elliot’s beloved, slightly smelly, one-eyed giraffe toy, Baloney Tony (Craig Robinson), who serves as the film’s wisecracking, yet surprisingly heartfelt, sidekick.
Their journey to find The Sandman is fraught with challenges, including navigating terrifying nightmares and evading the menacing Queen of Nightmares, Nightmara (Gia Carides). The film’s strength lies in these wildly creative dream sequences, which allow the animators to showcase a delightful mix of imaginative aesthetics and genuinely unsettling childhood fears.
Voice Cast and Creative Team: Pixar Veterans Deliver
The film is the first feature from director Alex Woo’s Kuku Studios, co-directed and co-written with Erik Benson. Their experience in crafting compelling, high-quality animated narratives shines through.
The voice ensemble is a major highlight:
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport and Elias Janssen bring authentic sibling energy, capturing the volatile yet fiercely protective bond between Stevie and Elliot.
- Craig Robinson injects significant humour and warmth into Baloney Tony, a character quickly becoming a fan favourite.
- Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti provide emotional weight as the parents, grounding the fantastical dream world in relatable adult concerns.
Woo’s direction is praised for not talking down to its young audience, depicting the parental struggle with maturity and honesty, opting for quiet tensions and subtle signs of strain over heavy-handed melodrama.
Themes and Emotional Resonance
While visually entertaining, In Your Dreams truly succeeds in its thematic depth. The film cleverly uses the adventure as a vehicle for Stevie to confront her own perfectionism and the difficult truth that some things—like her parents’ relationship—are beyond her control.
H3: The Acceptance of Imperfection
The core message challenges the very nature of escapism and the pursuit of a “perfect” fantasy. As the siblings close in on their goal, they begin to understand that the magic they seek isn’t external, but rather the imperfect, resilient love they share as a family, especially between themselves. The film ultimately argues that confronting reality, even the difficult parts, is a far more powerful journey than clinging to an idealised dream. This thematic sincerity elevates it above a typical animated caper, making it a film that resonates deeply with audiences of all ages who have experienced shifting family dynamics.
In Your Dreams is a testament to the power of animation to explore complex, heartfelt narratives. It’s a whimsical ride that sticks the landing, providing genuine laughs and a message about family and acceptance that is anything but a dream.
Keywords: In Your Dreams movie, Netflix animated film, Alex Woo, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Craig Robinson, family film review, animated adventure, Baloney Tony, Sandman movie.