Netflix’s new animated adventure In Your Dreams is as heartfelt as it is hilariously surreal. It’s a comedy-fantasy that dives into the wild landscape of sibling dreams, stuffed animals, and second chances.
From the mind of writer and director Alex Woo, the film follows Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and her brother Elliot (Elias Janssen) as they embark on a magical mission through their own dreams to fix their fractured family. Along the way, they encounter a snarky stuffed giraffe named Baloney Tony (Craig Robinson), the mysterious Sandman (Omid Djalili), the unpredictable Queen of Nightmares Nightmara (Gia Carides), and their loving but complicated parents voiced by Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti.
Dreaming Together
When Alex Woo describes In Your Dreams, it’s clear this isn’t just another animated adventure. It’s personal.
“This film took 996 people to make,” Woo told Gayety. “It was really 996 people dreaming together that made this thing come to life.”
Woo said the theme of dreaming together comes from his own childhood. “When I was six or seven years old and my parents nearly split up, it was really tough for me, but I was really lucky. I had a younger brother, and we kind of got through all that uncertainty, all that messiness together,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I would’ve handled it as well. That was sort of a through line for this film — the power of going through the unknown, the uncertainty of life, the messiness of life, the imperfection of life with somebody can really make life meaningful and worthwhile.”
Woo added that working with his cast was a standout experience. “They sing a song in the movie. It’s an original song, and both Simu and Cristin are incredible singers,” he said. “When we were recording that, it was like I was getting a free personal concert from the both of them. I can’t wait for audiences to hear their performance. It’s so heartfelt and so emotional.”
Simu Liu’s Musical Moment
If that’s not enough reason to see this film, come to watch Liu sing his heart out alongside Emmy-winning actress Cristin Milioti.
“I love engaging the musical side of me,” Liu said. “Getting to do it with Cristin was such an honor. She’s incredible. Even though we didn’t record together, it felt like I was singing alongside Broadway royalty.”
Reflecting on his favorite part of recording, Liu added, “It was one of my most fun days on set. I just thought it was so beautiful and it made me really emotional and it got me really excited. So anytime I get to go into a recording studio and lay down, lay down a line or two is pretty good.”
Beyond the music and whimsy, In Your Dreams reminds us that holding onto our dreams and doing the work to realize them is what keeps us grounded in an unpredictable world. Liu opened up about what he’s dreaming for right now, and his answer is something we all need to hear.
“I think we’ve kind of lost the ability to listen to each other. Everyone’s gotten good at talking, but not listening. I’m manifesting for the world to be a little kinder and more open.”
When asked what childhood memory keeps him grounded, he shared, “I was raised by my grandparents in China until I was four. I lost them both during COVID in 2021. And lately I’ve been dreaming about them a lot too, which is really awesome when I get to visit them in my dreams. And it’s always sad waking up.”
Craig Robinson’s Baloney Tony Brings the Laughs
As the voice of Baloney Tony, a lovable stuffed giraffe with endless slices of bologna, Craig Robinson brings the movie’s biggest laughs and warmest heart.
“It was so much fun,” Robinson said. “Alex Woo’s an incredible director. He let us improvise and find new moments. I have a younger brother and older sister, so that sibling chaos felt very familiar.”
Tony is also known for his endless supply of, well, baloney, so of course I had to ask the cast what they’d keep in a never-ending pocket.
“Roasted salted pistachios,” Robinson replied.
Hoang-Rappaport went with “chocolate,” Janssen proudly declared “ramen,” and Liu admitted to a soft spot for “purse candies,” also known as Werther’s Originals.
Turning Nightmares Into Magic
With dazzling visuals, original songs, and a story that finds light in life’s messiest moments, In Your Dreams is a reminder that imagination heals and that dreaming together can turn even nightmares into something beautiful.
Or as Alex Woo put it, “Life is messy and imperfect, but when you go through it together, that’s what makes it meaningful.”
In Your Dreams streams exclusively on Netflix on November 14.
