Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Filmmaker Michel Franco’s latest follows the dangerous affair between American socialite Jennifer (Jessica Chastain) and undocumented ballet dancer Fernando (Isaac Hernández).

The Film’s opening feels straight out of a Dramatic Thriller. Fernando is cramped inside the back of a van with a group of fellow Mexicans, hoping to safely cross the American border undetected. When he arrives safely, he knows exactly where he’s headed: to a house in San Francisco. It’s clear he’s familiar with this home as he promptly locates the spare key.

From here, Dreams swiftly transitions into a Drama that teeters on the erotic side. The home Fernando has let himself into is Jennifer’s. When she arrives home she’s surprised but happy to see him. The two have been seeing each other for a while, but their meetings are typically arranged. Fernando is a dancer at the ballet company Jennifer’s family owns in Mexico City. The two met there, and their attraction led to a — slightly — secret affair.

In the beginning, their relationship feels pure. The attraction between the two is palpable, and Chastain and Hernández share an intense chemistry. We hope Fernando is able to remain safe in America. But soon, cracks begin to form and power dynamics surface. Jennifer hides Fernando from her friends and family. Even though his family is aware of their relationship. Additionally, Jennifer repeatedly questions whether Fernando should stay in America. Then sugarcoating her cruelty by stating it’s in fear for his safety.

Chastain has taken on this role that few would even consider. Her richly-textured performance brings us below Jennifer’s surface. Maybe the woman isn’t as she appears? This is an integral aspect of Franco’s Dreams. We are not what we appear to be. Each of us shows an image to the world that isn’t completely authentic.

It’s clear that Jennifer is attracted to Fernando. We watch as she goes to eat a fruit at her kitchen island and gets lost in a memory shared with him. It’s a highly erotic moment shared between the two that mixes attraction and power dynamics. The enigmatic performance from Chastain allows the audience to question all facets of Jennifer. Is she completely in love? In lust? Maybe she just craves control?

For the majority of the Film, Franco remains neutral in his direction. Allowing the audience to come to their own conclusions. But eventually it becomes clear that Jennifer doesn’t love Fernando. Instead, this relationship mimics the class-structure of the powerful wanting to control and manipulate the disadvantaged. Everything seems to be leading to this conclusion, until a perplexing twist in the final act that complicates this message.

Overall, Dreams is an intriguing Erotic dDrama that boasts a textured performance from Chastain. It has a lot to say about class-structures but its final act twist doesn’t allow the message to stick the landing.

Vortex Media release DREAMS in cinemas Friday, February 27, 2026.