The idea is a good one.  Nicolas Cage, who is attracted to these sorts of wacky roles (see Adaptation, Pig) plays a hideously boring, ant-loving college professor by the name of Paul Matthews.  Married with two kids, Paul’s life is stuck in neutral.  Instead of taking the initiative, doing the research, and publishing the book he’s long spoken about, Paul wallows in self-pity and finds excuses to justify his apathy.

In the same vein as a viral meme, Paul is about to go from a compete nobody… to one of the most famous people in the world.  For no explainable reason, he starts appearing in the dreams of thousands across the United States.  He doesn’t do much in the dreams – he’s described as being “like an awkward guest at a party” – but he quickly becomes a celebrity who is being courted by news stations, talk shows, and advertising agencies.  They all want to cash in on Paul’s “dream pandemic.”

It’s at this point where Kristoffer Borgli’s film runs out of momentum.  Does it have anything meaningful to say?  I’m not sure.  It references topics like celebrity and “cancel culture” but has little to offer.  A major hindrance is the lack of logic.  I’m fine with the silly premise but when the innocuous dreams turn more sinister, the public’s reactions make zero sense.  How is no one able to separate real life from fiction?  Two scenes in particular – one involving a therapy group, and one at a school play – were enough to ruin the promising signs of the opening act.

Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas) gives it his best shot in portraying a sorrowful loser.  One of the film’s best moments occurs in the opening ten minutes when he catches up with an ex-colleague and nervously tries to get something off his chest.  The script doesn’t offer him enough though.  The contributions of supporting players such as Michael Cera (Superbad), Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live), and Dylan Baker (Happiness) are trifling in terms of both comedy and drama.

The trailer gives off fun vibes but if you’re thinking Dream Scenario is going to be a wonderfully messed-up dark comedy to rival the best work of Charlie Kaufmann (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation), think again.  It takes us on a journey to nowhere… and the limp finale is proof of that.