Dream Productions Reimagines Several Common Sleep Occurrences

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Dream Productions.Dream Productions takes several normal dream occurrences and makes them surprisingly scary. The four-episode Disney+ series is set between From the inside out and Inside Out 2 and is based on the Dream Productions concept that was introduced in the first film. Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith) and the other original emotions are in the series, but Dream ProductionsThe cast of characters prominently features dream directors Paula Persimmon (Paula Pell) and Xeni (Richard Ayoade), who are forced to work together.

Experienced director Paula clashes with young, ambitious dream director Xeni as they have polar opposite ideas about the types of dreams that are best for Riley (Kensington Tallman). The conflict between them and the way Dream Productions leader Jean Dewberry (Maya Rudolph) attempts to correct course leads to near-disastrous results that unfold in Dream Productions' finishing. Although the worst-case scenario is avoided, there are still many disconcerting experiences that occur in the series due to Riley's dreams being mishandled.

Dream Productions Makes Sleepwalking Horrible

Sleepwalking may have killed Riley

Sleepwalking becomes genuinely frightening in Dream Productions when Paula and Xeni lose control of the camera and Riley begins sleepwalking. The camera begins to move on its own, as if it were the sentient villain from a horror movie stalking its prey, while Paula, Xeni, and everyone inside the Dream Productions part of Riley's mind are rendered temporarily powerless. Several members of the Dream Productions crew are shot down by the camera or dragged away against their will.

Even more disturbing is what happens outside Riley's mind, when she leaves her room and goes up the stairs of her house. THE From the inside out emotions are unable to wake Riley while she is sleepwalking. They have to watch helplessly as her sleepwalking almost causes her to fall down the stairs. If Paula, Xeni and several crew members hadn't managed to pull the camera back, Riley could have been seriously injured or even killed by falling down the stairs while sleepwalking.

Dream Productions can turn any night into a nightmare

This is in addition to the planned nightmares

Nightmares are often seen as rare occurrences. However, Dream Productions reveals that Riley's mind has a dedicated nightmare director, Gigi (Kimberly Woods), who regularly creates nightmares for Riley. In addition to these regular nightmares, episode 1 demonstrates that any dream in Riley's mind can suddenly become a nightmare. This happens when Paula is directing a dream about Riley going to the school dance and becoming the Rainbow Unicorn. Paula mistakenly believes that including a beloved figure from Riley's childhood is a good idea, even though Riley is trying to act more mature and concerned about fitting in with her peers.

The dream is not intended to be terrifying, but it takes a frightening turn when the Rainbow Unicorn descends menacingly into a shell and then approaches it. Riley runs down the hallway, until she is stuck in place as the Rainbow Unicorn charges towards her. This isn't an isolated nightmare, as the Rainbow Unicorn and its accompanying music become a recurring nightmare that Riley will fight in future episodes. It's one thing to have a nightmare created by a nightmare director, it's another for happy dreams to become lasting nightmares.

Dream productions can be shaped by internal forces

The Dream Productions conflict affects Riley's daily life

Riley's dreams unconsciously have a significant impact on her emotional state and how she acts when she is awake. When there is conflict between Paula, Xeni, Jean and the general state of the Dream Productions department, it affects how Riley is feeling. As the folks at Dream Productions argue about the types of dreams she should have, Riley loses confidence in herself and even begins to believe that she shouldn't go to the school dance, despite her friends wanting her to join them.

When Riley has her lucid dream and interacts directly with Paula, something doesn't even happen. From the inside out film achieved, she is strengthened. Even though Riley doesn't remember the events of the next day's lucid dream, the way Paula empowers her leaves a lasting impact. Riley regains her confidence and chooses to go to the school dance and participate in a dance routine with her friends. Although it is used for good, Riley's dreams shape her everyday perceptions and actions. This reality adds more narrative and emotional weight to the dreams that occur in Dream Productions.