As the Matthews family's backyard greets a serene morning, the youngest sibling, Sophie Matthews, embarks on a fantastical journey. Awakening in a bizarre dreamscape, she spots her father, Paul Matthews, lounging effortlessly by the poolside. In a surreal turn of events, the surroundings begin to float skyward as if enchanted, only for Sophie’s subconscious to draw her back to reality.
In his day-to-day life, Paul, a gentle biology professor, navigates his routine with ease. Alongside his wife, Janet Matthews, they enjoy a blissful family life with their two daughters, Hannah Matthews and Sophie. Paul finds himself engaged in discussions with former colleague Sheila, who is seeking his insights on a controversial article. However, as he records their conversation, the hope for recognition meets an unsettling silence.
The Matthews family's evening takes an unexpected turn during a theater outing, where they encounter Claire, an ex-girlfriend of Paul’s. Claire's surprising revelation that Paul has been conspicuously present in her dreams creates a lingering sense of confusion for the couple. Later, she confides in Paul, suggesting they collaborate on documenting their dream experiences, to which he reluctantly agrees.
As the days progress, a curious occurrence begins to unfold; friends and acquaintances like Richard and Carlota share dreams of Paul as a silent observer. The situation escalates when Claire links Paul's Facebook profile to her article, resulting in an influx of messages from those who have dreamt about him. Seeking clarity, Paul turns to his students, only to find that they too are haunted by dreams featuring him.
Slowly coming to terms with his role in this bizarre phenomenon, Paul feels a sense of despair as he realizes he is merely a puppet in the subconscious of others. His conversations with Janet take a deeper turn as he inquires about her dreams. When she expresses a desire to see him save her while adorned in an oversized suit reminiscent of David Byrne from Talking Heads, he feels compelled to fulfill this whimsical wish, setting off on a journey that blurs the lines between dreams and reality.
As night falls, an unsettling turn of events occurs when a distressed individual breaks into the Matthews home, delivering a terrifying ultimatum: either harm Paul, or face dire consequences. As authorities get involved, Paul is left to reconcile the fallout of this intrusion. Seeking to leverage his newfound infamy, he approaches a high-profile public relations team, meeting Trent, Mary, and Molly. Trent presents Paul as a prime candidate for a Sprite endorsement, yet Paul’s true intention lies in using his exposure to promote his work. This mission is momentarily sidelined when Molly, intrigued by dreams involving Paul, invites him for a drink, leading to a misunderstanding that stirs old emotions.
That night takes an unexpected twist as Molly reveals her vivid fantasies of passionate encounters with him. Caught off-guard, Paul is drawn into this dreamlike allure, but chaos ensues with an embarrassing interruption, forcing him to flee. Back home, frustration mounts when he learns Sheila has published her article without giving him credit.
Meanwhile, Sophie experiences troubling nightmares of her father menacingly stalking her, escalating her anxiety. Paul's students begin to report disturbing dreams involving him as a figure of violence, which leads to a growing rift between him and those who once looked up to him. Tensions peak when one student vandalizes his car, resulting in an explosive reaction that only distances him further from his peers. Consequently, he finds himself on extended leave from his teaching position.
As whispers of dread surround Paul, those closest to him are forced to cope with the fallout of his turbulent psyche. Janet’s job hangs in the balance due to her association with Paul, while Sophie becomes harassed at school, with classmates cruelly mocking her father as a twisted version of Freddy Krueger. Desperate cries for an apology from the public remain unacknowledged as Paul’s rage and avoidance only deepen his isolation. This downward spiral escalates when he finds himself pursued down a deserted street by a shadowy figure wielding a crossbow, a surreal embodiment of his worst fears. Prompted by this harrowing encounter, he hastily records an apology video, which is received as insincere and self-pitying by his peers.
With the looming threat of ostracization, Paul attempts to sneak into Sophie’s school play but is stopped by her teacher, Kayla, leading to a chaotic showdown that severs her pinky finger. Believing him to be a danger, parents stage an intervention and remove Paul from the premises, leaving Janet and their daughters in tears.
In the aftermath of this turmoil, Paul considers divorce proceedings against Janet, seeking a fresh start while still grappling with unspoken feelings. Sophie, desperate for reconciliation, finds herself caught between her parents, while Hannah cannot overcome her embarrassment. As time passes, Paul garners attention for his innovative research on dream traversal technology, a breakthrough that tantalizes potential connections yet faces backlash. Tech magnate Brian Berg unveils a device that allows users to traverse into others' dreams, but it soon spirals into exploitation by social media influencers.
In a bid for redemption, Paul turns to Trent for help in salvaging his public image. He writes an autobiography in France, under the title "Dream Scenario," only for it to be rebranded as "I Am Your Nightmare." The book receives middling reviews and sluggish sales, culminating in a rocky book tour where disaster strikes when a light fixture collapses on his head during a signing event.
With renewed determination, Paul grasps the dream-travel device, feeling a surge of excitement surge as he prepares to enter Janet's subconscious world. As he activates it, reality seems to warp and bend, guiding him to her dreamscape, where he is dressed in the oversized suit she once admired. Amidst their surreal adventure, Paul feels a sense of urgency to rescue Janet from an impending catastrophe. Walking hand-in-hand, they traverse through eerie landscapes, exchanging murmurs of yearning, culminating in the poignant moment when Paul whispers, > “I wish this were reality,” flushing Janet with a soft glow of hope and affection.
As Paul blissfully loses himself in his dream, he begins to rise, defying gravity, drifting towards the celestial expanse above. Meanwhile, back in the waking world, Janet awakens to the morning light, her dreams dissipating like fog, leaving behind a lingering sense of connection.
