by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
In the world of animated storytelling, few studios have been on a hotter streak than Netflix. Following the success of K-Pop Demon Hunters, the streamer is doubling down with its next highly anticipated feature, In Your Dreams.
This time, Netflix turns to writer-director Alex Woo, whose creative imagination and emotional precision have helped shape some of animation’s most resonant works. In a new conversation, Charles Kirkland Jr. sat down with Woo to explore the magic, meaning, and meticulous craft behind the upcoming film.
In Your Dreams follows siblings Stevie and Elliot as they embark on a surreal journey through the landscape of their shared dreams in a desperate attempt to save their family. The fantastical premise, layered with humor, danger, and heartfelt discovery, signals Woo’s commitment to telling stories that operate on multiple levels, fun enough for kids but thoughtful and emotionally rich for adults.
During the conversation, Woo discusses the origins of the project, tracing it back to his fascination with the fragility and unpredictability of childhood imagination. For him, dreams are not just narrative devices but expressions of internal conflict and emotional truth. He talks about how the film uses dream logic, wild transitions, heightened imagery, and shifting rules to mirror what Stevie and Elliot are feeling in the real world.
Woo also shares details about building the film’s dreamscape, which blends whimsical fantasy with darker, more grounded emotional beats. He explains how the production team crafted each dream sequence to reflect the siblings’ fears, hopes, and evolving relationship. The movie’s visual style, bold color palette, and shifts in animation technique are all tied to the characters’ emotional arcs.
Of course, no animated feature comes together without a talented voice cast, and In Your Dreams is no exception. Woo offers insight into working with Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elias Janssen, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, and Craig Robinson, emphasizing the importance of natural, vulnerable performances that elevate the story beyond spectacle.
As Netflix positions In Your Dreams for a major awards-season push, Woo acknowledges both the excitement and pressure of crafting a film that must resonate across generations. Ultimately, he hopes audiences will see the adventure not just as an escape into fantasy, but as a reminder of the bonds that hold families together even when everything feels like it is falling apart.
In Your Dreams is shaping up to be a vibrant, heartfelt journey through the power of imagination. And if Woo’s vision is any indication, this film might just become Netflix’s next animated standout.
Watch the Conversation below:
