In Your Dreams Review: Christian Lessons About Truth, Illusion, and God’s Reality
How Netflix’s animated adventure echoes Jeremiah’s warning about dreams and truth.
Slight spoilers for IN YOUR DREAMS (2025) ahead.
Dreams have long been a rich source for storytelling. Whether sharing the depths of their own dreams or using the dreamscape itself as a storytelling device, authors, artists, and filmmakers alike are drawn to what dreams reveal about ourselves and the world around us. The Walt Disney Company has practically made dreams their business (“A dream is a wish your heart makes.”).
Biblically, dreams are also of great importance. Figures like Joseph and Daniel demonstrate their connection to God by their ability to interpret dreams, and God uses dreams to guide His followers, warn the unfaithful, and reveal His will and His plans. Scripture treats dreams not as indulgent escapes, but as moments where God breaks through illusion with truth.
Releasing on Netflix this Friday, In Your Dreams (though far lighter in tone) treads a similar line, using fantasy to remind us that not every dream is meant to be lived out. And while the film may not be a revolutionary take on dreams (or animation), the passion and craftsmanship on display make this new animated film an enjoyable, family friendly watch.
In Your Dreams is a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot who discover a magical book and journey into the absurd landscape of their own dreams. If the siblings can withstand a snarky stuffed giraffe, zombie breakfast foods, and the queen of nightmares, the Sandman will grant them their ultimate dream come true ... the perfect family. But as Stevie quickly discovers, dreams aren’t reality. And if she stays trapped in her fantasies for too long, there may be dire, lasting consequences.
At face value In Your Dreams has a standard setup, from an adventure in a magical world to a pair of bickering siblings to a kooky non-human sidekick. The film does its best to make these stereotypical elements stand out, with imaginative and varied character designs and lively voice acting from Craig Robinson as the aforementioned stuffed giraffe, Baloney Tony. The animation itself is commendable, unafraid to experiment with unique camera movements and expressive character reactions.
Sometimes it feels as if the movie is just going through the motions, from unwarranted comedic breaks seemingly insisting that kids laugh every few minutes to rushed character beats. Stevie’s character development in particular feels rushed, rejecting the temptations of her dreams and embracing the imperfections of life with far too much ease.
But the film’s rough edges actually contribute to that same thematic lens. As director Alex Woo put it, “sometimes we need to let go of what we dream life should be, and hold on to life as it actually is.” Stevie risks losing everything in the film in her pursuit of a fictitious life, nearly failing to see that everything around her is merely a facade of sand.
In the past I’ve written about Inception and how Cobb’s obsession with the dreams of his past life closely resemble that of the biblical story of Lot’s wife. Both characters are unable to look ahead to the future because they don’t want to lose what is already behind them:
In Your Dreams shares the same DNA as these stories, not discouraging dreaming but warning of the dangers that come from being unable to let go. The Sandman’s glowing and flowy character design resembles traditional depictions of figures such as Santa or Zeus, clearly meant to be seen as a benevolent higher power.
But as the film goes on, his motives and methods are shown to be questionable. He may not act as a pure villain, but he becomes an antagonist, warping Stevie’s dreams to make her forget what is true. This sandy, dreamlike facade masquerading as reality is reminiscent of the book of Jeremiah, where God contrasts the false prophets’ dreams with His own true word:
“Their dreams and my truth are as different as straw and wheat.” - Jeremiah 23:28
This perspective is a fitting lens for a film about learning to discern between comforting illusions and reality’s harder truths. And this powerful and unexpectedly somber message is handled with much care and clearly comes from a personal place for the filmmakers, with Woo’s childhood experiences effectively informing the narrative and themes.
Ultimately, In Your Dreams reminds us that God’s truth and our dreams can be “as different as straw and wheat,” but that the separation, though painful, is what allows real life to grow. While the film might not be perfect, it offers a fun and thoughtful time for families to reflect on what really matters.