On June 5, Netflix offered an exclusive sneak peek of its upcoming animated feature In Your Dreams, followed by an engaging Q&A with director Alex Woo and actor Craig Robinson, moderated by Variety’s Katcy Stephan.
In Your Dreams tells the story of siblings Stevie and Elliot, who journey through their own bizarre and whimsical dreamscapes in search of the Sandman. Steveie and Elliot are hoping he can grant their ultimate wish, a perfect family. The footage previewed during the event showcased hilarious moments, surreal worlds, and deeply relatable sibling dynamics that set the tone for an unforgettable adventure.
During the Q&A, director Alex Woo shared the personal story that inspired the film, explaining, “I kind of grew up on movies that told me if I wished hard enough, my dreams could come true. But as I grew older, I realized that sometimes dreams don’t come true, and that’s what I wanted to explore. What do you do when they don’t? How do you find hope and keep moving forward?”
The director also credited Netflix for championing original storytelling, “I really have to give it up to Netflix. It’s such a bold move to back an original story, especially in an industry that’s so focused on sequels and existing IP. They believed in the power of this story from the beginning.”
Craig Robinson, who voices the unforgettable Baloney Tony, who is a hilariously snarky, one-eyed stuffed giraffe, spoke about what drew him to the project. “Tony was just so funny and silly. I could see myself as this crazy stuffed animal. It’s a love letter to our brothers and sisters. I have a younger brother and an older sister, and we were relentless in teasing each other, but it was always with love.”
Robinson also described the joy of being allowed to improvise lines, helping him shape the character on the fly. “We were finding out who Baloney Tony was in the moment. A lot of the jokes just came from the collaboration and me riffing in the booth. It was so much fun.”
The event concluded with a lovely reception decorated with art stills from In Your Dreams, snacks, themed drinks, and my very own Baloney Tony to take home!
The film hits Netflix on November 14, 2025! With its winning combination of humor, heartfelt themes, and unforgettable characters, In Your Dreams is shaping up to be a standout release.
