Simu Liu is passionate about his new animated film, “In Your Dreams,” calling it a story that “kids need to see.” The reason? It portrays a family that “isn’t perfect.” The ‘Shang-Chi’ star, who voices the father, was “fascinated” by the film’s honest look at family conflict.
“The way that families are depicted… is this idea that families are always happy… It’s just not true,” Liu stated. He feels “it’s important” for kids to see families that argue. This new adventure-comedy from Netflix, opening Friday, does exactly that.
The film, directed by Pixar alum Alex Woo, follows siblings Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (Elias Janssen). They embark on a magical quest to find The Sandman, hoping to “fix” their parents’ failing marriage. The film is animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
The cast also includes Emmy winner Cristin Milioti as the Mom and comedian Craig Robinson as Baloney Tony, a stuffed animal. Milioti highlighted a “beautiful moment” in the film where she and Liu sing a duet, a “really great” song that shows the couple in harmony.
The film’s resolution is what makes it “important,” as Liu suggests. Stevie, the young hero, must learn that “there is no magic solution to real-life problems.” The film’s conclusion is a testament to the power of honesty over “fairy tale” endings.