Dreams in Nightmares

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Dreams in Nightmares

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2h 8m

Drama

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22 Reviews

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With their second film, Shatara Michelle Ford (Test Pattern) puts their singular stamp on the American road movie. Dreams in Nightmares, which stars Denée Benton (The Gilded Age) and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets, Scream 7) follows a group of queer friends in their mid-30s navigating love, identity, and belonging across America. Anchored in themes of chosen family and self-discovery, the film blends humor and emotional depth against the backdrop of a journey through the Midwest and beyond. Dreams in Nightmares is an expansive and tender ode to the chosen family and to the radical act of claiming space to dream--and to exist--in an increasingly fraught country.

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Chase Hutchinson

Seattle Times

Sep 2, 2026

3/4

The playful, often witheringly funny and ultimately bittersweet dramedy soon burrows deeply into its lead character’s subconscious, with Ford exploring this through more avant-garde, experimental elements.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

Sep 1, 2026

Even the most awkward parts of the film feel uniquely alive.

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Justin Chang

NPR

Aug 21, 2026

On paper, that might sound too obvious -- the bohemian artistes versus the high-strung corporate sellout. But the actors, especially Compère as Tasha, are too vivid to be reduced to mere types.

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Tara McNamara

Common Sense Media

Sep 3, 2026

4/5

Non-binary Black writer-director Shantara Michelle Ford's arthouse drama is rare, refreshing, and ribald.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Aug 30, 2026

Writer and director Shatara Michelle Ford’s sophomore film joins the ranks of filmmakers with visions of a quotidian utopia at a time of despair making this slow burn movie into more than just a feel-good road trip movie

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Anna Hoang

Boston Hassle

Aug 30, 2026

The mirage of the film — a kind of excursion with ominous bearings — concedes to the truth that director/writer Shatara Michelle Ford loves fun and Badlands and all the stops in between.

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Raquel W

Aug 31, 2026

Amazing characters and story with a heartfelt life message

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Moody C

@MoodyC Aug 26, 2026

There is a good movie somewhere here amid cloudiness, confusion, & mostly self indulgence to include anything & everything shot. It’s tough when you fall all in love with something but focus on story is key to being a great director. Asian queer reading her poem looks uncut & way too long, I was bored. Many scenes go on forever without adding anything to story which is not a bad road trip journey with so many interesting encounters minus that horrendous poem reading session. I like it mostly but only wish it cud be better edited.

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Tom C

@Ofcbfc Aug 21, 2026

Loved it. Such a warm and loving movie that's simultaneously light and fun, while also being deep and heartfelt. A brilliant example of a filmmaker using everything at their disposal (stellar score, great cinematography, sharply observed and realized production design, clever editing, and great ensemble performances). It feels so lived-in. Title also really does justice to the idea of a fantasy and dream about what's possible and what's good for black and queer folks in America, while also navigating the hard practicalities inherent for those folks in 2026.

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Shatara Michelle Ford

Director

Denée Benton

Actor

Mars Rucker

Actor

Dezi Bing

Lauren

Sasha Compère

Tasha

Charlie Barnett

Reece

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Synopsis

With their second film, Shatara Michelle Ford (Test Pattern) puts their singular stamp on the American road movie. Dreams in Nightmares, which stars Denée Benton (The Gilded Age) and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets, Scream 7) follows a group of queer friends in their mid-30s navigating love, identity, and belonging across America. Anchored in themes of chosen family and self-discovery, the film blends humor and emotional depth against the backdrop of a journey through the Midwest and beyond. Dreams in Nightmares is an expansive and tender ode to the chosen family and to the radical act of claiming space to dream--and to exist--in an increasingly fraught country.

Director: Shatara Michelle Ford
Producer: Pin-Chun Liu, Shatara Michelle Ford, Naima Abed, Adam Wyatt Tate, Josh Peters, Robina Riccitiello, Ben Stillman, Ana Leocha, Tyler Bagley, Chris Quintos Cathcart
Screenwriter: Shatara Michelle Ford
Distributor: Lunette Films
Production Co: 120E Films, It Was Written, Spark Features, Paradise City
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 2h 8m

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