This video essay delves into the use of dreams in movies, exploring how characters often find themselves stuck in the monotony of their day-to-day lives, feeling misplaced or emotionally disconnected. These characters are in a kind of liminal space, caught between who they are and who they want to become. For them, escaping into a dream world seems like the only logical option, offering a utopian retreat from reality. These dream worlds are often depicted as idealistic, unrealistic landscapes that provide the comfort and excitement missing from their ordinary lives.

How we experience the dream often has to do with the state of the character we are following through it. Many times, movies will pair dreams with unreliable characters who suffer from schizophrenia, insomnia, or other mental health issues. This narrative device blurs the line between fact and fiction, making it difficult for both the audience and the characters to distinguish between what is real and what is imagined. By showing us the dream through the eyes of these unreliable narrators, the film forces us to question both the dream world and the reality they are trying to escape from.

From a videographic perspective, I love how the essay guides us through the different stages of the dream experience (utopia, surrealism, and dystopia) as if we are going through the dream sequence ourselves. The transitions between stages, combined with the atmospheric sound design and visual effects, make the analysis feel immersive, as though we are being led on a journey through the subconscious. This technique enhances the dreamlike quality of the video, creating an experience that is both informative and emotionally engaging.