Daniel Isn't Real

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1:59

Daniel Isn't Real

2019

1h 36m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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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.

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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.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

02/07/2020

5/5

This schizophrenic buddy pic is the real deal.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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R T

@Snakeyb Mar 7

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

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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.

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Christina S.

@dropdeadchristy Oct 25

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

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Zach L

@RT64883034 Oct 9

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

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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.

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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.

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Daniel Isn't Real: Trailer 1

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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