In Dreams

A devoted suburban housewife who illustrates children's stories and copes with her husband’s frequent absences. She experiences vivid, haunting dreams of an underwater city and a murdered girl that pull her toward a dangerous truth. Her stubborn devotion to her daughter and determination to uncover the truth push her toward desperation and risk, blurring the line between sanity and obsession.

A childlike yet deadly serial killer who abducts young girls to form his own disturbing family of 'playmates'. His behavior is marked by a traumatic past and an unsettling, almost innocent demeanor that makes him terrifying. He alternates between boyish charm and ruthless rage, driving the film’s suspenseful pursuit.

Claire’s airline-pilot husband who is frequently away from home, leaving her to guard their daughter alone. His absence is intensified by hints of an affair with an Australian coworker, adding tension to the family dynamics. He represents the fragility of a stable domestic life under the weight of unseen threats.

The psychologist who evaluates Claire and labels her experiences as psychosis. He embodies the medical view of dreams and trauma, framing her visions within clinical terms. His perspective highlights the tension between belief and psychiatric interpretation throughout the narrative.

Claire and Paul’s eight-year-old daughter who disappears during an outdoor school play and is later found dead at the reservoir’s bottom. Her loss drives the film’s emotional core and Claire’s intense pursuit of the truth. Rebecca’s memory lingers as the catalyst for fear and obsession.

The young girl Vivian abducts as a potential 'playmate' victim, central to the factory climax. She represents the innocent life at risk in the killer’s plans. Ruby’s presence heights the stakes of the final confrontation.

A nurse who operates within the psychiatric setting, contributing to the film’s exploration of care and containment. Her role underscores the institutional context of Claire’s journey. She embodies the everyday presence of the system Claire navigates.