Dream Scenario: 2/5 “An Average Man Becomes the Cancel Culture Dream”

            Paul Matthews, played by Nicholas Cage, in A24’s “Dream Scenario” makes the world of an average professor seems as trite and embittered as it should be. Nicholas Cage, in his own right, has played so many roles that there would be no room for a review. The premise is rather simple: an average professor is approached by an old girlfriend who then writes about seeing him in her dreams. What then happens is a devolution of an average man, who is then appearing in other people’s dreams. “Occupying space” as one academic friend tells his party, but then becoming violent, for what appears like no apparent reason.

            A stalker breaks into his house, threatens him and his family with a knife, and the police tell him, “Fame comes with some unsavory setbacks,” as his life is completely upturned. Sheila, an academic, steals his idea for a book he wanted to write, as an evolutionary biologist. Paul’s main profession.

            It’s clear as Paul’s family life, and his academic career is declining, so is the idea of his life. He wants to not apologize to a man who spit in his food, but he does so in such a buffoonish way, that even his own family can’t respect him. “It’s embarrassing being married to you.” To which his wife actually wanted him to do.