Key Highlights
- In Your Dreams is a Netflix animated film set to be an Oscar contender.
- The movie follows siblings as they venture into the dream realm for a wish from the Sandman.
- Filmmakers and actors share their experiences and surprises during the production process.
- Several key elements, such as Baloney Tony and Nightmara’s character development, are highlighted.
The Making of In Your Dreams: A Labor of Love
In Your Dreams, an upcoming Netflix animated film, is not only a visual feast but also a labor of love for its creators. The movie follows the journey of two siblings as they embark on a quest to gain a wish from the mythical Sandman. Directed by Alex Woo and produced by Tim Hahn and Gregg Taylor, this film is part of Netflix’s ambitious strategy to produce award-worthy content.
Alex Woo, the director, describes the process of making the film as akin to cooking a great meal. “You’ve poured all this love, blood, sweat, and tears into the meal, and you just want to nourish ’em,” he said in an interview with Screen Rant. This sentiment is echoed by Tim Hahn, who expressed his excitement for audiences to meet Tony, one of the film’s memorable characters.
The Surprises Along the Way
Throughout the production process, several unexpected surprises emerged that added depth and emotion to the story. For example, Simu Liu, a lead singer in an original song included in the film, was caught off guard when Alex Woo revealed it during their collaboration. “I didn’t realize that would be part of the film! We were already a year into the process,” Liu explained.
Similarly, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, who plays Stevie alongside Simu Liu, found herself deeply moved by the emotional scenes she had to record. “We would record these scenes over and over again, months apart, but every time I got really emotional,” she shared. This experience highlighted the film’s emotional depth and its ability to evoke strong feelings in performers.
Character Development and Creativity
The development of characters like Baloney Tony and Nightmara was a significant part of the creative process. Craig Robinson, who voices Baloney Tony, praised the filmmakers for their passion and support during recording sessions. “Alex has so much passion for this movie. It is infectious,” he said.
Gia Carides, who portrays Nightmara, described her character’s development as a collaborative effort with Alex Woo. She was given freedom to experiment with different accents and voices until they found the perfect fit. “It was really fun being part of that creative process,” she remarked.
Music and Soundtrack
The soundtrack of In Your Dreams, composed by John Debney, is another highlight of the film. Debney described his experience as surprising but rewarding. “The great thing about this film musically is that we go from kind of Western to big, beautiful, imaginative, almost impressionistic music,” he said.
Preparation for Success
In Your Dreams will have a limited theatrical run starting November 7 before streaming on Netflix on November 14, 2025. The film is set up as a potential awards contender, which has been a dream come true for director Alex Woo and the rest of the team.
Woo shared his perspective on the journey from his first short in 2004 to making In Your Dreams today. “I know it can be really discouraging when you’re hitting a wall,” he said, emphasizing the importance of patience and faith in oneself. “Patience is the key, and holding on to that faith in yourself is what matters.” This sentiment resonates with many filmmakers who face long odds but persist through dedication and hard work.
