In Dreams

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In Dreams

R

Released Jan 15, 1999

1h 44m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

25%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After clairvoyant Claire Cooper (Annette Bening) has a disturbing dream about the murder of a young girl, her daughter, Rebecca (Katie Sagona), is found dead in a lake. When the police dismiss Cooper's offers to help their investigation, she seeks treatment with therapist Silverman (Stephen Rea), who diagnoses her as emotionally disturbed. As Cooper's dreams become increasingly vivid, she grows concerned that she has developed a psychic link to serial killer Vivian Thompson (Robert Downey Jr.).

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Critics Consensus

Some interesting visuals, but the movie is as confusing as a dream.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Ambitious but ultimately incoherent and frustrating tale that may be too cerebral for the horror genre crowds and too literal-minded for the genre's more intelligent viewers; lush visual style compensates only up to a point.

Rated: C+

Oct 24, 2006

Full Review

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Rated: 3/4

Jun 18, 2002

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Jason Shawhan

Nashville Scene

Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, The Good Thief) took an interesting but messy Bari Wood novel, Doll's Eyes, and turned it into one of the greatest thrillers of the '90s.

Dec 16, 2021

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Has a strange beauty, an intensely creepy atmosphere, and a grandly operatic feel.

Rated: 4/5

May 2, 2014

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

In dreams, this film would be a chilling exercise in psychological horror; in reality, it's a fascinating folly.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 3, 2009

Full Review

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Farah R

In Dreams has an intriguing story that gets too caught up in its twists it becomes incoherent. Even the actors who give it their all don’t help it make any sense.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Steve D

Unsatisfying and often ridiculous.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It has atmosphere but boy is it weird. I would love to get a copy of the novel it’s based on.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/11/22

Full Review

tom m

Meh. While I like Annette Bening this seemed like a role that did not let her talents shine. These days I'm not that appreciative of thrillers that are mostly about mind-fucking.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Not really my kind of movie, but it was pretty good. Robert sells his role so well, as do the rest of the main cast. Everyone else falls a little flat though. I can't complain about the ending though. All around worth at least one watch. It's a slow pace movie, but filmed really nice.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

Visuals are great, dialogue is terrible and undeliverable - hence the terrible acting. The unbelievable plot could have been rendered less ridiculous with a script overhaul.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Neil Jordan

Director

Annette Bening

Claire Cooper

Aidan Quinn

Paul Cooper

Robert Downey Jr.

Vivian Thompson

Paul Guilfoyle

Det. Jack Kay

Dennis Boutsikaris

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Synopsis

After clairvoyant Claire Cooper (Annette Bening) has a disturbing dream about the murder of a young girl, her daughter, Rebecca (Katie Sagona), is found dead in a lake. When the police dismiss Cooper's offers to help their investigation, she seeks treatment with therapist Silverman (Stephen Rea), who diagnoses her as emotionally disturbed. As Cooper's dreams become increasingly vivid, she grows concerned that she has developed a psychic link to serial killer Vivian Thompson (Robert Downey Jr.).

Director: Neil Jordan
Producer: Charles Burke, Stephen Woolley
Screenwriter: Bari Wood, Bruce Robinson, Neil Jordan
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, Red Feather Photoplays
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG, Amblin Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.9M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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