Childhood Nostalgia Meets Cinematic Vision
For In Your Dreams director Alex Woo, the film’s fantastical sets weren’t just built—they were remembered. In an exclusive interview, Woo shared how his 1990s visits to Chuck E. Cheese and Disneyland’s It’s a Small World ride shaped the movie’s dreamlike aesthetic.
Chuck E. Cheese: A Gateway to Imagination
Woo’s weekends at Chuck E. Cheese left an indelible mark. “The flashing lights, animatronics, and chaotic joy felt like stepping into another world,” he says. This inspired the film’s surreal arcade sequence, where oversized tokens and eerie, watchful animatronics blur the line between fun and fear.
Disney’s ‘It’s a Small World’: Beauty with a Twist
The pastel harmony of It’s a Small World fascinated Woo, but so did its uncanny undertones. In the film, rows of smiling dolls gradually distort, mirroring the ride’s duality. “It’s soothing yet unsettling—like dreams themselves,” Woo explains.
Designing the Dreamscape
Production designer Priya Sharma brought Woo’s vision to life by warping familiar childhood elements. Bright colors clash with skewed proportions (think towering doors, tiny chairs), creating a world that feels almost real—but not quite.
Why Childhood Inspirations Resonate
“Kids’ spaces are joyful, but there’s often something lurking beneath,” Woo notes. In Your Dreams leans into this tension, balancing whimsy with psychological depth.
Coming Soon to Theaters
In Your Dreams arrives next month. As Woo puts it: “Theme parks taught me that magic—and madness—are everywhere. You just have to look.”
