Daniel Isn't Real

Good evening, everyone! I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we'll be diving into the film Daniel Isn't Real. I had the opportunity to watch it on Tubi. This movie originally premiered on March 9, 2019, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It is rated for viewers aged 15 and older. Notably, parts of the film were filmed in New York, USA. The movie grossed approximately $75,407 worldwide. As an individual on the autism spectrum, I found the inclusion of subtitles to be immensely beneficial, as they significantly improved my ability to engage with the dialogue throughout the film. The film was both directed and written by Adam Egypt Mortimer, with additional writing contributions from Brian DeLeeuw, the author of the novel "In This Way I Was Saved," which served as the inspiration for the movie. I do see myself picking up this book sometime in the future.

Summary: In the aftermath of a traumatic childhood defined by witnessing the consequences of a mass shooting on the day his father abandons him, Luke struggles with deep emotional wounds. This dual trauma gives rise to Daniel, an imaginary friend who initially offers comfort but later reveals a darker side.

Review: -I found it compelling how the film opens with the introduction of Luke, a young boy who creates an imaginary friend named Daniel as a way to navigate his traumatic experiences. The opening scenes was both engaging and thought-provoking, effectively laying the groundwork for the psychological tension that develops throughout the film. I appreciated how the film effectively communicates significant themes surrounding mental health, the interplay between creativity and psychological well-being, the impact of environmental factors on our mental state, struggles with identity, and the perils associated with escapism. I valued the gradual build-up and the tension that the film expertly crafted within the realm of psychological horror; however, I did feel that there were moments when it lacked a certain momentum. I was impressed with the casting choices for the film, as I found the performances to be quite strong. Miles delivered a nuanced portrayal, showcasing significant depth and emotional range that effectively illustrated his character's struggles with trauma and mental health issues. Patrick infused his role with a captivating yet unsettling presence; his remarkable ability to shift seamlessly between charm and menace greatly enhanced the film's eerie atmosphere. While I appreciated many aspects of the narrative, I believe that certain scenes would have greatly benefited from more impactful dialogue and deeper character development to enhance the overall storytelling experience. I appreciated the soundtrack, particularly how the use of detuned piano and various instrumental elements effectively evokes a sense of tension and anxiety, aligning seamlessly with the film's psychological horror theme. The interplay between the soundtrack and sound effects cultivates an atmosphere of unease and uncertainty, immersing me deeply into the movie's world. However, I would have preferred a broader selection of tracks included in the film to enhance the overall experience.

-I found that the film's portrayal of gore is both realistic and believable, emphasizing psychological tension and suspense over explicit violence. Its effective use of practical effects and skilful editing enhances the intensity of the gore scenes, creating a sense of immediacy that is unsettling. However, the consistency of realism in the gore varies, with some moments appearing more stylized and exaggerated than others. I was liked some of the film's cinematography, which expertly employed a variety of shot types to enhance its narrative. The gentle lighting established a nuanced atmosphere that I found appealing; however, while all the essential elements in each frame were distinctly visible, some parts could have benefited from additional brightness. Personally, I often adjust my screen's brightness for a better viewing experience, which proved particularly advantageous during this film. The film's editing was a masterful blend of artistic flair and technical precision, elevating it from a standard horror film to a gripping psychological thriller, with its well-balanced pacing, inventive visual transitions, and edits that skilfully delved into the characters' psyches, all combining to create a captivating cinematic experience.

-I found the movie to be somewhat predictable, as I was able to anticipate several plot developments. However, I appreciated the ending, even though it felt a bit hurried in its resolution. The film's choice to leave certain elements open to interpretation enhanced its psychological horror aspect, which I found intriguing.

I rate each film I watch out of 10 and for this one, I give it a 6.7 Remember this was what I thought about the movie personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

When Luke (Miles Robbins) was a little boy he made friends with another little boy named Daniel. But as Luke discovers, Daniel is a bad influence for him. Luke also discovers that Daniel is just an imaginary friend and is not real. After a horrific trauma, Luke is forced to get rid of Daniel by locking him up in a doll house. In the present day, Luke (Miles Robbins) is now a college freshman. Unfortunately for Luke, he is having problems dealing with personal traumas. Thinking the release of Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger) may allow him to move forward from his current status Luke releases Daniel from the doll house, discovering Daniel is now a similar age. Daniel agrees to help Luke with his life and personal issues. But little does Luke know that Daniel has plans that are far worse than he could ever imagine. If you've ever seen the film Drop Dead Fred (1991), the best way to describe this film is to use the same concept but turn it into a horror movie. It's a concept that I really liked the sound of but its results are a mixed bag for me. The look and tone of this film is great. It's as dark and gritty as you would expect a horror film to be. The film's setting and locations were also positive to see. Eerie sounds tracks were also used to give a nice compliment to the overall horror tones. Daniel Isn't Real has a positive first act with a good general plot and introduction. We gain a good amount of information about Luke's upbringing and the problems that are occurring within his own home. The introduction to a young Daniel is also positive and it's enjoyable to see this new friendship develop only to turn dark. The film's ending (no spoilers) was also enjoyable even though final moments did cause me to raise both my eyebrows and left me with unanswered questions. The biggest problem with Daniel Isn't Real is found in its second act. Once Luke and Daniel are reunited at an older age the plot is pretty slowed down with the two leads spending their time going to clubs, drinking and hooking up with girls. Luke seems to think partying with an imaginary friend is the answer to his problems. At no point does the older Luke of the second act even question who Daniel really is or why Daniel found Luke in the first place. Nor does Luke seems concerned with Daniel's interactions in their past... The relationship is accepted far too easily and what they do together at first is... well not whole lot. But it's obvious that Daniel generally isn't happy with Luke. Some tense moments are had as the audience sees things from Daniel's perspective. Another struggle for me were some of the key performances in this film, particularly when it came to the actor Patrick Schwarzenegger who plays Daniel. The relationship between Luke and Daniel can feel fickle and even unconvincing. It just feels like we see two mates going out for fun. I found myself needing to remind myself of the film's initial plot from time to time because performances didn't feel consistent. Overall, Daniel Isn't Real brings a fantastic concept to the horror genre. While the film's concept, filming style and gritty tone are appealing to me, unfortunately the film let its audience down with the key performances and minor details within the core of its plot. The first and Final act are generally enjoyable, but I'm left with questions which have no answers, and in the end I felt this was a truly mixed bag with missed opportunities. 4.7/10 - Walkden Entertainment

This film has it's moments. There is not, at least in my opinion, a clear cut direction laid out but it does have a way of drawing you in. However, it felt a bit tedious at times and I was wanting it to move along a bit better. As my title indicates, I didn't love or hate it but it was an interesting watch.

Schwarzenegger crushed... you can see a bright future for his acting career... honestly if you like horror movies, you should give this a watch... you shouldnt even take reviewers who give out 1's and 10's seriously anyway... little bit of psychological horror, little bit of body horror, little bit of gore... nice combination to make a solid horror flick.

Oh no! I really wanted to like this more. It started out quite interesting and I was ready for the excitement to begin. SADLY it was mostly disappointing for me. There were really good moments but then a bunch of confusing, nonsensical silliness. I just quit caring about a third of the way through. Sorry but not for me but I am sure that others might like it better.