Netflix’s upcoming animated movie, titled In Your Dreams, will explore the concept of dreams like never before, maximizing the potential of its animated style. The story revolves around a pair of siblings, Elliot and Stevie, who venture into the world of dreams in an attempt to make their dream of having the perfect family come true in reality.
Netflix extended an invitation to TopMob to join them in Los Angeles for an event featuring “In Your Dreams” director Alex Woo and actor Craig Robertson. After a screening of two exclusive previews and the initial trailer, they engaged in a live Q&A session, moderated by Katcy Stephan from Variety.
As he embarked on shaping his narrative, director Alex Woo expressed that his objective was to create a film delving into the query: “How does one respond when aspirations that seemed so promising turn out unrealized?
As Woo put it, “dreams have always held a certain allure for me, and creating an animated film centered around dreams has been something of a challenge, like a mythical white whale.” He went on to explain that major animation studios have struggled to bring such a project to life because they’ve found it difficult to establish the necessary tension or “stakes” in a dream-themed movie.
As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts on “In Your Dreams,” a film that delves deeply into the complexities of sibling relationships. For me, this movie felt like Woo was attempting to decipher and cherish his brother’s distinct viewpoint and approach to life.
An essential element of the movie “In Your Dreams” is the introduction of the mythical figure The Sandman. This character is revealed to the main characters through an ancient book they stumble upon (a scene that was teased at the event for those who attended).
According to Woo, Sandman is reminiscent of characters from Scandinavian folklore. He pointed out that once their characters could locate Sandman in the dream realm, they could effectively bring dreams to life – a concept that bridged those two realities and provided the film with an engaging plotline.
In the fresh Netflix animation, Craig Robinson voices Baloney Tony – a plush toy belonging to one of the main characters, Elliot, whose previous owner used to fill him with favorite deli meats.
The performer labeled the experience as ‘a blend of spontaneous humor and instant improvisation,’ further noting that ‘In Your Dreams’ is a heartfelt tribute to all of us.
Here are some key points from the Q&A session between Alex Woo, the director of ‘In Your Dreams’, and actor Craig Robinson, which you can find in detail below.
The film releases on Netflix on November 14, 2025.
In Your Dreams Director Alex Woo on Approaching Dreams In a Unique Way
“A Dream Movie In the Animated Space Has Sort of Been a White Whale.”
- Moderator: “What can you tell me about why this was the project where you wanted to make your feature directorial debut, and what was special about it?”
Alex Woo: Indeed, you’re correct. The primary factor behind my debut as a director was that this was the only film that got approved for production. To put it another way, dreams have always intrigued me, and creating an animated movie based on dreams has been something of a challenge or an elusive goal, much like Moby Dick in the world of animation. Over the past few decades, I believe every animation studio worldwide has had a dream movie in various stages of development. However, none have ever come to fruition because it seems that no one could find a way to give a dream movie a sense of urgency or importance.
As we launched our company and brainstormed various film concepts, once we hit upon a promising one, we exclaimed, “Wow, we need to produce this swiftly! If we don’t, someone else might seize the opportunity before us.” This sense of urgency proved beneficial. Moreover, I was brought up on movies that suggested if I desired something fervently enough, my dreams would materialize. As I matured, I came to understand that while this is sometimes the case, it isn’t always true.
I yearned to create a film that delves into the quandary, ‘What steps do you take when your aspirations fail to materialize?’ The main motivation behind this project was finding hope, discovering a means to keep going in life, and navigating through adversity. This was essentially the driving force behind my desire to bring this movie to life.
In Your Dreams Is a Love Letter to Siblings
Alex Woo’s New Film May Be an Elaborate Way to Tell His Brother He Loves Him
- Moderator: “So, I’m curious how that relationship between the siblings came together and why that became such the emotional crux for this film?”
Alex Woo: Absolutely. You see, I have a younger brother, and Elliot in the story bears a strong resemblance to him. In many ways, I’m more like Stevie. Growing up, my brother and I often clashed, with me being the strict, high-achieving older sibling, while he was the easygoing, playful, charismatic little brother. This movie, in a way, was an attempt for me to comprehend him better, appreciate his unique outlook on life, and recognize its value.
One of my close friends, who seems to understand me quite deeply, watched the movie and commented, “You know, this film feels like a roundabout way for you to express your love for your brother.” To which I replied, “I suppose so…” So, yeah, it’s possible that I’m not fully aware… It seems easier to create films than to confront my emotions directly.
Craig Robinson on Why He Became a Stuffed Giraffe Named Baloney Tony
“I Could See Me As This Crazy Stuffed Animal For Some Reason.”
- Moderator: “Now, Craig, you have had some iconic voice roles. You’ve been involved in so many iconic comedy projects. What is it about Baloney Tony that you said, this is the guy for me? This is the giraffe for me.”
Craig Robinson said that the script resonated with everyone because we all have dreams. Being a part of it felt genuine to him. Tony was hilarious and goofy, and he could envision himself as a wildly funny stuffed animal in the story.
- Moderator: “I think it’s safe to say Baloney Tony is going to become one of those next iconic characters from a movie that kids are going to really connect with. What did you tap into in crafting the voice for him? And did you have baloney with you on set when you were recording?”
Robinson: They didn’t mess around with me, but, you get it, right? You two actually hit on the fact that it was like a blend of jokes and spontaneous humor… It was incredibly enjoyable. Plus, it was sort of a heartfelt tribute to our fellow companions. You know what I mean?
Because I have a younger brother and an older sister, we were quite a handful when it came to teasing her. We were relentless, but our teasing was always filled with love and faith. In our text messages, she couldn’t get away with misspelling a word – it was like a rule we had. If you misspelled a word in our text conversation, the game was over. You got the idea? In essence, all of this is captured in our relationship.
Furthermore, in situations where he needs to be the hero, I often turn to my dad or mom. He becomes someone different then, and I see him as such. Interestingly, he has to be kind to Joanne, Stevie, which highlights the importance of family support and collaboration.
Bringing The Sandman Into ‘In Your Dreams’
“It Helped Us Crack the Movie…”
- Moderator: “Now, of course, this gives an interesting take on the legend of The Sandman overall. What was it about the lore surrounding The Sandman? I love that we get that needle drop of hearing. What was it about that lore that made you interested in making that the backdrop for the story about dreams and family?”
Alex Woo: Truth be told, it played a crucial role in solving the mystery of the movie. The Sandman resembles a Scandinavian folk tale, doesn’t it? The story goes that he visits you when you fall asleep, showering sand onto your eyelids as you wake up with a cup of coffee in the morning. This is how dreams are supposedly created.
In essence, my initial connection to the Sandman character revolved around exploring his origin story – the reason behind our dreams. We took this concept further by asking, “What if we could locate the Sandman in the dream realm and make our dreams a reality?” This idea opened up an intriguing possibility: actions within the dream world could influence the real world. Thus, we bridged these two realities, adding tension and importance to the narrative, making it a compelling plot device that truly captivated me.
Among the films I hold dearest, none quite compare to ‘Back to the Future.’ A delightful nod to this timeless classic can be found in the use of the enchanting tune by The Chordettes. Incorporating this melody into the narrative of ‘Sandman’ subtly weaves a tribute that resonates deeply with me, creating a secret connection between the two stories.
Check out some of the other big projects Netflix has in store for audiences in 2025.
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2025-06-12 16:36