Daniel Isn't Real

Play trailer

1:59

Daniel Isn't Real

2019

1h 36m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A troubled college freshman resurrects his imaginary friend to help him cope with a violent trauma.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Daniel Isn't Real, but the smart, stylish fun waiting for genre lovers in this well-acted suspense thriller is completely genuine.

Read Critics Reviews

Tara Brady

Irish Times

02/13/2020

4/5

Adam Egypt Mortimer's second feature ... offers a novel convergence of mental health issues, toxic masculinity and occultish vibes.

Go to Full Review

Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

02/10/2020

3/5

The end goes a little off-piste, with much of the sweaty creepiness replaced by silly creature effects. There's enough before that, though, to elevate Adam Egypt Mortimer's film above the bog-standard psychological horror.

Go to Full Review

Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

02/07/2020

5/5

This schizophrenic buddy pic is the real deal.

Go to Full Review

Rachel Bellwoar

Vague Visages

03/26/2024

With Daniel Isn’t Real, Mortimer stands by his choices and doesn’t wobble. The result is a film that’s harmonious and undiluted, if prickly and divisive.

Go to Full Review

Dallas King

Flick Feast

11/11/2022

4/5

Slowly morphing from a character study of a man coping with trauma and mental illness into a dark and twisted horror... Adam Egypt Mortimer’s thrilling film and Patrick Schwarzenegger’s performance are the real deal.

Go to Full Review

Laura Potier

Outtake Mag

08/16/2021

3.5/5

Daniel Isn't Real is entertaining throughout and features very solid performances from its young cast, but it doesn't quite pack the punch it thinks it does.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

R T

@Snakeyb 2d

Liked the acting and cinematography. Script and plot was interesting. Didn’t like the last 15 minutes, turned into a supernatural horror. I would have preferred it to have stayed psychological thriller/drama My Significant Other fell asleep, not because of the film but because she had a long day being pregnant. She also found the subject matter interesting

See more

Gabriel T

@GabrielFagundes Jan 16

Apart from minor imperfections or overused horror tropes, "Daniel Isn't Real" is a quite solid movie. It has characters you care about, good special effects, an interesting psychological subtext, chemistry during the romantic scenes, good visual, etc.

See more

Christina S.

@dropdeadchristy Oct 25

Best movie I’ve seen in a minute. This movie stands out from the rest

See more

Zach L

Oct 9

I'm surprised this doesn't have better ratings. I felt it was very original and unpredictable. Twisted. Weird. Loved it.

See more

Ry N

@RyGuy Oct 8

Luke creates an imaginary friend after seeing the aftermath of a mass shooting but becomes an inner battle of his schizophrenia. This feels like Smile meets Fight Club given a barely passing grade with terrible special effects and poor acting from Daniel.

See more

Gabriel W

@gabeericwolf Sep 8

This film has a great premise and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed the dark and supernatural visuals. Overall a good watch.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Adam Egypt Mortimer

Director

Patrick Schwarzenegger

Daniel

Miles Robbins

Luke

Sasha Lane

Cassie

Hannah Marks

Sophie

Mary Stuart Masterson

Claire

Depraved

87%

49%

Depraved

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Depraved

Head Count

74%

44%

Head Count

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Head Count

Caveat

81%

58%

Caveat

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Caveat

Killer Influence

%

%

Killer Influence

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Killer Influence

Coming Home in the Dark

92%

45%

Coming Home in the Dark

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Coming Home in the Dark

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Daniel Isn't Real: Trailer 1

1:59

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A troubled college freshman resurrects his imaginary friend to help him cope with a violent trauma.

Director: Adam Egypt Mortimer
Producer: Josh C. Waller, Elijah Wood, Lisa Whalen, Daniel Noah
Screenwriter: Brian DeLeeuw
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co: ACE Pictures Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Ace Pictures (II), SpectreVision, Company 3
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 11, 2019
Runtime: 1h 36m

Most Popular at Home Now