Dreamscape
A rebellious psychic enters the dreams of others to expose a government conspiracy turning subconscious fears into lethal weapons.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- surreal
- paranoid
- witty
- late night genre marathon
- 1980s movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly find the film an entertaining, humorous blend of political conspiracy thriller, science fiction adventure, horror, and romance, despite its low-budget limitations.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alex investigates psychic killings that occur inside dreams and threaten sleepers in waking life.
The government-funded project and Bob Blair's interest frame dream invasion as a potential political weapon.
Psychic entry into dreams enables monstrous imagery, telekinesis, and shifting subconscious environments.
Alex Gardner's suspicious, informal outsider persona gives way to an active effort to stop the abuse of dream powers.
Films like Dreamscape, and why
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Shared dream invasion premise, supernatural menace, and horror-thriller tension.
Scanners
Shared psychic abilities, government experimentation, and paranoid science fiction thriller elements.
Inception
Shared dream manipulation, surreal action, and layered science fiction adventure.
Movie Details
- Director
- Joseph Ruben
- Release Date
- 1984-08-15
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (332)
Cast
- Dennis Quaid
- Max von Sydow
- Christopher Plummer
- Eddie Albert
- Kate Capshaw
- David Patrick Kelly
- George Wendt
- Larry Gelman
- Cory 'Bumper' Yothers
- Redmond Gleeson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dreamscape about?
- A rebellious psychic enters the dreams of others to expose a government conspiracy turning subconscious fears into lethal weapons.
- What is Dreamscape like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dreamscape as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Dreamscape violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Dreamscape as moderate.
- What did critics think of Dreamscape?
- Critics broadly find the film an entertaining, humorous blend of political conspiracy thriller, science fiction adventure, horror, and romance, despite its low-budget limitations.
- Which films are like Dreamscape?
- Films with a similar feel include A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scanners, and Inception.
- How long is Dreamscape?
- Dreamscape runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dreamscape?
- In United States, Dreamscape streams on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
