Dreams

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Dreams

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1h 50m

Drama

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94%

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33 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Johanne's intimate writings about her first love stir friction within her family, prompting her mother and grandmother to reexamine their own realities and dreams. Johanne falls in love for the first time, with her teacher. To preserve her feelings, she documents her emotions and experiences in writing. When her mother and grandmother read what she has written, they are initially shocked by its intimate content but soon see that it has literary potential. As they debate whether to publish it, Johanne navigates the gap between her romantic fantasy and reality, and all three women confront their differing views on love, sexuality, and self-discovery.

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Simon Abrams

RogerEbert.com

‘Dreams’ winds up leading viewers to feel both mildly implicated and overwhelmingly frustrated as Johanne’s narrative gradually veers from questions about what really happened to Johanne to why we care in the first place.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 13, 2025

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Zachary Barnes

Wall Street Journal

Mr. Haugerud has this time channeled most of his verbiage into Johanne’s voiceover, which continues throughout the movie to smothering effect. It’s a shame, because the film has a lively, radiant cast and vibrant images.

Sep 12, 2025

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Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

The secret sauce here is the remarkable Overbye, who turns from a knot of desperation into something of a maverick by the end of the film.

Sep 11, 2025

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Mauricio Jarufe Caballero

Cinencuentro

In the end, Dreams fails to fully unravel the intense mystery of its protagonists, but it does convince us of the power of storytelling as the only means of doing so. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 26, 2025

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Rob Thomas

Not That Rob Thomas (Substack)

“Dreams” is almost a parody of a Scandinavian love story, where the most erotic scene involves two characters trying on sweaters. But with a strong lead performance and a dry wit, “Dreams” is intriguingly clear-headed about matters of the heart.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 25, 2025

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Erik Reeds

Spectrum Culture

A subtle and nuanced look at teenage queer infatuation shies away from transgressive elements.

Sep 17, 2025

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

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Dag Johan Haugerud

Director

Ella Øverbye

Johanne

Selome Emnetu

Johanna

Anne Marit Jacobsen

Karin, Johannes mormor

Ane Dahl Torp

Johannes mor

Andrine Saether

Forlagsredaktøren

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Synopsis

Johanne's intimate writings about her first love stir friction within her family, prompting her mother and grandmother to reexamine their own realities and dreams. Johanne falls in love for the first time, with her teacher. To preserve her feelings, she documents her emotions and experiences in writing. When her mother and grandmother read what she has written, they are initially shocked by its intimate content but soon see that it has literary potential. As they debate whether to publish it, Johanne navigates the gap between her romantic fantasy and reality, and all three women confront their differing views on love, sexuality, and self-discovery.

Director: Dag Johan Haugerud
Producer: Yngve Sæther, Hege Hauff Hvattum
Screenwriter: Dag Johan Haugerud
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Motlys
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Norwegian
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 50m