Nicolas Cage Enters the Collective Subconscious in Compelling “Dream Scenario” Trailer

There are certain roles that seem so tailor-made for a specific performer that you simply couldn’t imagine anyone else in them. This has been true for Nicolas Cage, a singular presence, to say the least, in a number of his films, most notably Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Leaving Las Vegas, and Adaptation. These four films helped establish Cage as one of the most intriguing performers of his generation, and now, with writer/director Kristoffer Borgli‘s Dream Scenario, Cage has found another role that fits him like a glove. Or, in this case, like a dream.

Cage plays Paul Matthews, an unassuming, decidedly uncool family man who suddenly finds himself starring in the dreams of millions of people. Well, “starring” might be too strong a word, more like “appearing.” Paul goes from being the type of guy nobody notices in real life to a man everyone keeps seeing when they close their eyes. His dream appearances make Paul famous, and, as the trailer reveals, Paul’s life feels more exciting and filled with more potential than ever before.

But where there are dreams, there are also nightmares, and Paul’s waking life becomes one when he starts misbehaving in people’s dreams. Suddenly, Paul’s fame turns to infamy, and his life begins to unravel in short order.

“Is this a fantasy? A fable? A new kind of horror movie? Actually, Dream Scenario is all of the above and then some…” wrote Peter Debruge in Variety after the film had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. “Cage is comedy gold in one of the year’s sharpest comedies yet,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter’s Michael Rechsthaffen.

Check out the trailer below. Dream Scenario hits theaters on November 10.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Hapless family man Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. But when his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom, in this wickedly entertaining comedy from writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself) and producer Ari Aster.

For more on current and upcoming films this fall, check out these stories:

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“The Creator” First Reactions: A Stunning, Emotionally Resonant Original Sci-Fi Saga

“The Marvels” Drops New IMAX Spot That Goes Higher, Further, Faster

Featured image: Nicolas Cage in “Dream Scenario.” Courtesy A24.