The colors in this animated Netflix film feel like someone painted a memory in pastel with all the soft teals, peppermint pinks and deep midnight blues swirling together to make a world put together to feel like a comforting hug and a thrilling mystery. Right from the start, it’s obvious that this movie isn’t only focused on adventure but it focuses on things of the heart, magic and finding your way when the real world feels like it’s slipping.
What the Film’s About(possible spoilers)
The story follows siblings Stevie (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and her younger brother Elliot (Elias Janssen). Their parents (voiced by Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti) are going through some serious tension, and Stevie’s convinced that fixing their family means more than just hoping things get better. Then, one day at the library, Elliot finds a magical book that lets them enter the realm of dreams. In this dreamworld, anything is possible. Their stuffed animal talks, nightmarish landscapes, and a quest to reach the Sandman, who they believe has the power to bring their family back together.
My Not So Very Subjective Thoughts
There’s something deeply inspirational about how the film treats dreams, not just as silly fantasies, but as places where fears, hopes and the messiness of real life can mix and be understood. Stevie and Elliot’s journey is more than just a magical quest; it’s a way for them to face the big feelings they can’t quite express in the real world.
And the magic bursts off the screen. The world-building is wild, imaginative and full of little details that feel made just to make kids and of course grown-ups, who enjoy animated films, gasp.
Stevie and Elliot’s sibling bond is the emotional backbone here. They tease, they argue and carry each other. But through it all, there’s real loyalty. In their shared dream spaces, they learn that they’re stronger together than they ever thought possible.
You would literally go wow with this one because the animation is gorgeous and There’s a ton of wacky, silly stuff like dancing breakfast foods, a stuffed giraffe named Baloney Tony who brings levity and laughs.
At its core, this is a story about family. Stevie carries a lot of guilt and responsibility, and she learns she doesn’t have to carry it all by herself. I like how the film doesn’t shy away from the pain of change notwithstanding the kind of audience this was meant for. Their parents are drifting apart, and their dream world becomes a place to process that loss.
Well, I really have nothing to criticize about this film because I loved it from the jump to when the credits rolled. This film actually gave me real hope, not just for the kids on screen, but for every little part of us that feels lost when family gets messy. It’s an inspirational film because it teaches that courage. The magic is generous, the imagination is wild, and the emotional stakes are very real.
Even if it doesn’t rewrite the rules of animated fantasy, it reminds you why we make dreams in the first place and I think that’s to hold onto what we love, to face what scares us and to believe we can build something better, even if only in our sleep.
Rating: 7.9 / 10
It is an absolute heartfelt, visually delightful adventure that’s perfect for kids and grownups who miss the feeling of dreaming big. Highly recommended!
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