Dreams
February 23rd, 2026
MOVIE: DREAMS
STARRING: JESSICA CHASTAIN, ISAAC HERNÁNDEZ, RUPERT FRIEND, MARSHALL BELL
DIRECTED BY: MICHEL FRANCO
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 95 MINUTES
At the moment, the immigrant experience is a conversation happening in all circles of life- at the dinner table, on podcasts, in the news, and now in this review. Because of that relevance, writer-director Michel Franco’s newest film, Dreams, makes an impact while delivering a powerful statement. It’s a tortured romance, a commentary on wealth and class, a look at the painful lengths a person will go to escape their country, and a reflection on the harsh realities of life. With another stellar lead performance from Jessica Chastain, Dreams becomes an emotional story of love, lust, and loss- the stuff dreams are made of.
At first glance, I’m a bit surprised that my rating for Dreams appears to be higher than many others, but I also tend to gravitate toward anything involving Chastain. The Oscar winner stars as Jennifer McCarthy, the daughter of a wealthy businessman (Marshall Bell) and a philanthropist, alongside her brother Jake (Rupert Friend). Together, they champion the arts- especially dance- as board members of the Los Angeles Dance Academy, funding events and attaching their names to philanthropic causes.
Jennifer occasionally sits in on auditions, which is how she meets Fernando (Isaac Hernández). A twenty-something phenom, Fernando is also an immigrant from Mexico who crossed the border in a tumultuous and terrifying way. Jennifer connects with him through sexual attraction, entering into a relationship with him under the guise of helping a dancer in need.
From the outset, Franco highlights the divide in lifestyle between the two characters. The film opens with a semi-truck parked on the side of the road. Soon, we hear screams and pleas for help until a police unit opens the back, releasing a flood of people- Fernando escaping amid the chaos. We then cut to Jennifer living a life of private jets, high fashion, and glamorous events. When the two reconnect at her second home, they fall into a passionate romance, though their relationship seems rooted in convenience and Fernando’s ability to remain in the country.
Some may question the motivations behind Dreams– whether it’s trying to say something beyond the divide between Americans and immigrants- and unfortunately, the answer might be no. What Franco does succeed at, however, is revealing the privilege of wealthy elites willing to build success on the backs of artists like Fernando, an undeniably brilliant dancer. The central question becomes whether Jennifer is willing to abandon her misconceptions and fears about making their relationship public, especially when those around her are quick to judge her choices.
The third act is where Dreams takes a disturbing- yet necessary- turn. The relationship begins to fracture, and how viewers interpret a character’s actions will ultimately determine where they stand. It’s in this provocative approach that Franco succeeds, as his films often do, testing the boundaries between right and wrong.
Above all, Dreams is a study of social interactions surrounding immigration, what it means to be a “legal citizen,” and whether love can truly conquer all. It’s dark, disturbing, passionate, and emotional- exactly the kind of story Michel Franco is known for telling. In the end, it feels less like a dream and more like a nightmare.
3 STARS
DREAMS IS CURRENTLY PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS.
Written by: Leo Brady
