Daniel Isn't Real

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1:59

Daniel Isn't Real

2019

1h 36m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A troubled college freshman resurrects his imaginary friend to help him cope with a violent trauma.

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Critics Consensus

Daniel Isn't Real, but the smart, stylish fun waiting for genre lovers in this well-acted suspense thriller is completely genuine.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Adam Egypt Mortimer's second feature ... offers a novel convergence of mental health issues, toxic masculinity and occultish vibes.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 13, 2020

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

The end goes a little off-piste, with much of the sweaty creepiness replaced by silly creature effects. There's enough before that, though, to elevate Adam Egypt Mortimer's film above the bog-standard psychological horror.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 10, 2020

Full Review

Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

This schizophrenic buddy pic is the real deal.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 7, 2020

Full Review

Rachel Bellwoar

Vague Visages

With Daniel Isn’t Real, Mortimer stands by his choices and doesn’t wobble. The result is a film that’s harmonious and undiluted, if prickly and divisive.

Mar 26, 2024

Full Review

Dallas King

Flick Feast

Slowly morphing from a character study of a man coping with trauma and mental illness into a dark and twisted horror... Adam Egypt Mortimer’s thrilling film and Patrick Schwarzenegger’s performance are the real deal.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 11, 2022

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Laura Potier

Outtake Mag

Daniel Isn't Real is entertaining throughout and features very solid performances from its young cast, but it doesn't quite pack the punch it thinks it does.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 16, 2021

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Zach L

I'm surprised this doesn't have better ratings. I felt it was very original and unpredictable. Twisted. Weird. Loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/25

Full Review

Ry N

Luke creates an imaginary friend after seeing the aftermath of a mass shooting but becomes an inner battle of his schizophrenia. This feels like Smile meets Fight Club given a barely passing grade with terrible special effects and poor acting from Daniel.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/10/25

Full Review

Gabriel W

This film has a great premise and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed the dark and supernatural visuals. Overall a good watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

Kitty S

Loved this! Miles Robbins is amazing, I didn’t see the end coming or have that “this again..” feeling. Unique and well executed. I’d buy it to rewatch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

Full Review

Bisquiteen T

This writer has definitely never met a schizophrenic person, or even looked up the meaning on Mayo Clinic or similar.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

Full Review

Audience Member

What a waste of time. No story, no tension, no suspense, no intrigue, a jumbled mess of a story that doesn’t tie up any loose ends, uses mediocre special effects and left me bored and thankful that I didn’t pay to watch it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

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Adam Egypt Mortimer

Director

Patrick Schwarzenegger

Daniel

Miles Robbins

Luke

Sasha Lane

Cassie

Hannah Marks

Sophie

Mary Stuart Masterson

Claire

Depraved

87%

49%

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74%

44%

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Caveat

83%

59%

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Killer Influence

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Killer Influence

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Coming Home in the Dark

92%

45%

Coming Home in the Dark

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Daniel Isn't Real: Trailer 1

1:59

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Synopsis

A troubled college freshman resurrects his imaginary friend to help him cope with a violent trauma.

Director: Adam Egypt Mortimer
Producer: Josh C. Waller, Elijah Wood, Lisa Whalen, Daniel Noah
Screenwriter: Brian DeLeeuw
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co: ACE Pictures Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Ace Pictures (II), SpectreVision, Company 3
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 11, 2019
Runtime: 1h 36m

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