The sophomore feature from writer/director, Shatara Michelle Ford, Dreams in Nightmares could easily be one of the most talked-about indies of the year. It needs to revel in the buzz it truly deserves.
Dreams In Nightmares Review Rating: 9/10
Screenshot by Reel Movie Junkie
So, if the name the name isn’t ringing any bells, I really need all the Movie Junkies to tap in and pay attention to this one, because it’s great.
Shatara Michelle Ford’s 2020 debut, Test Pattern was one of those quiet-but-devastating indies that critics kept whispering about for years afterward. It was a Sundance hidden gem that never got the mainstream shine it was worthy of. Well, Ford is back after a five-year gap with a film that’s louder, funnier, and a whole lot more ambitious.
The Story
Denée Bento plays Z, a writing professor who just got laid off, and she’s spiraling a little. Her partner Reece (Charlie Barnett) wants to make things official, but instead of feeling relief, Z feels dread. On a whim, she flies out to New York to link up with her best friends Tasha (Sasha Compère) and Lauren (Dezi Bing), who are dealing with their own financial and personal chaos. And then the actual plot kicks in their mutual friend Kel (Mars Rucker) have gone completely off the grid, and the three of them decide to drive cross-country to track her down.
On the surface, that sounds like a fairly standard setup: friends go looking for a missing friend and find themselves instead. It’s a story we’ve all seen a hundred times, but Ford blows that structure wide open. The mystery of Kel’s disappearance takes a backseat pretty quickly, and what you actually get is something closer to a fever dream with dream sequences bleeding into the “real” story, and a tone that swings from full-on comedy to raw fury without ever feeling tonally messy. That’s what makes it most enjoyable is the cohesiveness of the story, with it never straying off track by trying to check too many boxes. The film knows its audience and doesn’t try too hard to appeal to just anyone.
What It Delivers
Dreams in Nightmares is a real leap forward for Ford as she delivers a clear-eyed message about how hard it is to actually build a fulfilling creative life, while still being earnest enough to make you believe it’s possible. At times, it can get deeply political without ever feeling like a lecture because the characters are unafraid to say exactly what they feel out loud with real passion. It’s one of the most stylistically confident indies in recent years, giving major credit to the score, the editing, and the cinematography for making a two-hour-plus road movie fly by.
In a sea full of white-female-led girls’ trip films, it’s refreshing to land a Black femme entry that is deeper than just raunchy jokes and chasing men. We get to see the women having fun, loving each other, and fully living life. With each character showcasing their individuality, the viewer will easily pick a favorite from the bunch.
Dreams in Nightmares Review Rating: 9/10|Opens in New York City on August 21
Screenshot by Reel Movie Junkie
If you’re the type who wants an ensemble movie with real chemistry, visual swings that actually pay off, and a script that isn’t afraid to get political without losing its sense of humor, Dreams in Nightmares is that “go see it with the gang” type of film. It also doesn’t hurt that the cast is extremely talented, which extends past just Benton, Compère, and Bing.
The film also stars Charlie Barnett, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Molly Bernard, Alfie Fuller, Regina Taylor, and Robert Wisdom, all showing up to do work.
The entertainment buzz has been going on for some time now through its limited release, but with Dreams in Nightmares now receiving a full-blown theatrical run, this could easily be one of the most talked-about indies of the year. Don’t be the one trying to catch up after the hype; you must add this to your must-see list ASAP.
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