Grammy and Emmy winner Cristin Milioti is lending her acclaimed voice to the new animated feature “In Your Dreams,” playing a mother struggling to hold her marriage together. The film, which also stars Simu Liu as her husband, centers on their children’s magical quest to save the relationship. While the film explores conflict, Milioti revealed a musical duet between her and Liu was a personal highlight.
Milioti, who won a Grammy for the “Once” cast album, described the song as “really great” and a “beautiful moment in the film.” This duet provides a glimpse of the strained couple in harmony, starkly contrasting the conflict that drives the plot. It serves as a powerful reminder of the love that their children, Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (Elias Janssen), are trying to preserve.
This nuanced portrayal of a family in crisis is exactly what attracted the high-profile cast. Simu Liu, in particular, was fascinated by the script’s honesty. The ‘Shang-Chi’ star has spoken out against the “false” portrayal of “always happy” families in media, stating, “it’s important that kids have imagery of families that aren’t perfect.” This film delivers that realism, showing a family that argues.
The plot follows Stevie and Elliot as they journey to find The Sandman, a mythical figure they believe can magically fix their parents’ problems. This adventure-comedy, directed by Pixar veteran Alex Woo (“Ratatouille”) and animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks, also features Craig Robinson as a stuffed animal named Baloney Tony.
The film’s emotional weight rests on its conclusion. The children must grapple with the discovery that magic cannot solve complex, real-world issues. Stevie’s journey, as Hoang-Rappaport describes, is about learning that she cannot “fix this on my own.” “In Your Dreams” uses its fantasy setting to teach a grounded lesson about acceptance and the messy, imperfect nature of family life.