Nicolas Cage can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare. A24 has released the first trailer for its new dark comedy “Dream Scenario,” from “Sick of Myself” writer-director Kristoffer Borgli. The film stars Cage as a college professor who becomes famous after he inexplicably begins to appear in the dreams of strangers, though his celebrity status faces complications once the world’s visions of him become terrifying.
“Why me? Uh, I don’t know! I’m special, I guess,” Cage’s Paul Matthews tells the world in an interview on television. Through the trailer, set to The Cranberries’ perennial ’90s anthem “Dreams,” the family man is met with applause, admiration, impersonators and angry mobs.
In addition to Cage, the R-rated comedy’s ensemble features Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Dylan Gelula, Dylan Baker and Kate Berlant. “Beau Is Afraid” director and A24 mainstay Ari Aster serves as a producer, alongside Cage, Lars Knudsen, Tyler Campellone and Jacob Jaffke.
“Dream Scenario” was a breakout title at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, premiering to strong reviews that highlighted Cage’s committed lead turn. Variety chief film critic Peter Debruge had strong praise for the actor, hailing his “uncommonly low-key performance” from an actor who “may well have made bizarre cameos in your dreams already” and writing that “the timeless-looking film engages with up-to-the-minute ideas, from cancel culture to going viral, ultimately revealing itself to be a sly social satire.”
A24 has set “Dream Scenario” for a theatrical release on Nov. 10. Watch the new trailer below.