Dreamcatcher [2021] – Movie Review (2/5)

DREAMCATCHER (2021) is a new horror movie in the slasher and mystery subgenres. Unfortunately, it did nothing much for me and I was hoping for something very different. Also, it had a fairly long runtime which didn’t help. Read our full Dreamcatcher movie review here!

DREAMCATCHER is a new 2021 horror movie not to be confused with the 2003 movie with the same title. This new movie is a slasher movie with a mystery – obviously, the mystery is all about figuring out who the slasher is.

Unfortunately, my main problem with the movie turned out to be that I just didn’t care. I never like being negative about movies, but this one just disappointed me way more than I ever expected. So, while I do want to stay positive about the fact that I’m sure there is an audience for this movie, I also have to admit that it simply wasn’t for me.

Continue reading our Dreamcatcher movie review below if you’re curious to learn more.

Less yapping, more stabbing

Okay, admittedly, that headline is more about making a fun little rhyming pun than anything else. However, it is also my main issue. From the beginning, I found this 2021 Dreamcatcher movie somewhat intriguing. However, this changed all too quickly as the very dialogue-heavy movie went on and on… without any slasher moments for far too long.

I mean, this is supposedly a horror movie in the slasher and mystery subgenres. And yet, it becomes very clear that there are many little “inside jokes” and quips about what makes a good horror movie. Unfortunately, it feels like someone trying to show stereotypical horror fans (and copying Scream quite poorly in the process) with the hamfisted way it’s done.

The cast features a few familiar faces including Niki Koss (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse), Zachary Gordon (star of Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise), and Lou Ferrigno Jr. (S.W.A.T.). I have nothing bad to say about the cast, but the story made it hard for me to truly care about any of these characters.

Not based on a Stephen King novel

While the 2003 Dreamcatcher movie was based on a novel by Stephen King, this 2021 movie of the same title is not. Also, the 2003 movie had an adapted screenplay was written by William Goldman (Marathon Man) and Lawrence Kasdan. The latter also directed the movie which starred (among others) Morgan Freeman and Thomas Jane (1922).

So, why am I spending so much time talking about this other Dreamcatcher movie?

Well, I just want to make it very clear that this new movie is not a remake or a reboot of the 2003 movie. In fact, the plots have nothing in common. And while I did obviously know this before watching it, I also expected this new movie to be interesting and entertaining.

Ultimately, it was neither. Not to me anyway – and that was disappointing!

Watch Dreamcatcher 2021 On-Demand

Jacob Johnston is the writer and director of Dreamcatcher which is his feature film debut on both counts. He previously directed two short films released back in 2016. Also, he has been writing episodes of the Crypt TV Sunny Family Cult and The Look-See series before making his feature film debut.

Also, Jacob Johnston has been working as a visual development producer on the biggest Marvel movies and TV series from 2011 to 2017. Maybe that’s why I have no problem stating that Dreamcatcher is a movie that looks very good and has many visually stunning moments. Just not the story to carry them. Personally, I’d choose a strong story over strong visuals any time!

I really wanted to like Dreamcatcher and was hoping for a classic slasher movie, which may have been my downfall. Also, it’s too long. I’m not saying that a horror movie can’t or shouldn’t be longer than the golden 90 minutes that work for many movies. Hereditary was over two hours and I loved it. The same goes for most South Korean productions.

However, you need the story (and often character-driven plots) to carry a longer runtime. To me, this movie just did not have that. The 2 out of 5 rating is due to the production quality, the visuals, and the actors doing the best with what they had. Also, I want to recognize that I’m sure other viewers will enjoy this one, even if it missed the mark (emphatically) for me.

Dreamcatcher (2021) is out on-demand and digital from March 5, 2021.

Details

Director: Jacob Johnston
Writer: Jacob Johnston
Cast: Niki Koss, Zachary Gordon, Travis Burns, Blaine Kern III, Olivia Sui, Emrhys Cooper, Elizabeth Posey, Nazanin Mandi, Adrienne Wilkinson, Lou Ferrigno Jr.