Slumberland

Slumberland

Year: 2022

Runtime: 117 min

Language: English

Director: Francis Lawrence

AdventureFantasyComedyFamilyMusical

A young girl discovers a map to Slumberland, a dream world filled with wonder and peril. Teaming up with a charming trickster, she journeys through fantastical landscapes while evading frightening creatures, all while holding onto the hope of being reunited with her missing father. Their adventure is a thrilling exploration of imagination and the power of dreams.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Slumberland yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Slumberland (2022) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Slumberland (2022), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Nemo, played by Marlow Barkley, is a young girl living in a lighthouse with her father, Peter, portrayed by Kyle Chandler. Since her mother passed away during her childhood, Peter has taken it upon himself to teach her the ins and outs of maintaining the lighthouse while captivating her with thrilling bedtime tales about his adventures featuring a character named Flip. These stories include quests for a cave filled with magical, wish-granting pearls and navigating the perilous waters known as the sea of nightmares.

One fateful day, as a storm brews, Peter ventures out to assist a distressed boat. Amid this chaos, Nemo experiences a terrifying nightmare where she sees her father being taken by a squid-like creature. Upon waking, rather than comfort, she learns from Carla, played by Yanna McIntosh, that her father is now lost at sea. To ensure Nemo’s well-being, Carla reaches out to Nemo’s uncle Philip, played by Chris O’Dowd, urging him to take her in before she is placed into state care. Philip, who is shown to lead a dull and unfulfilled life, reluctantly agrees.

Things take a fantastical turn one night when Nemo’s stuffed pig comes to life, transporting her to Slumberland, a magical realm between dreams. Here, she encounters Flip, an unscrupulous yet charming outlaw who bears a striking resemblance to Peter’s stories. With horns and sharp teeth, Flip reveals he is a former friend of Peter’s and is familiar with Nemo’s longing to see her father. He asks her about a mysteriously magical map that she doesn’t know about but assures her that he can help reunite her with Peter if she retrieves it. Unceremoniously, Flip pushes her off a cliff to wake her up, marking their first chaotic encounter.

Back in her waking life, Nemo struggles to adapt, feeling isolated at school. She meets school counselor Ms. Arya and a fellow student named Jamal. Ms. Arya encourages Philip to connect more with Nemo, leading him to teach her lock-picking skills in an effort to bond. Eventually, Nemo discovers the map hidden behind a painting in her belongings sent from the lighthouse. Marking herself on the school app for a short trip, she sneaks back into Slumberland while claiming to be at school.

Once back in Slumberland, Flip reluctantly agrees to guide Nemo to the pearls, as they embark on a perilous journey through the dreams of others. The duo must navigate dangerous landscapes, encountering not only fantastical wonders but also mighty threats such as a cloud of smoke resembling a Kraken, embodying Nemo’s father’s nightmare. Flip explains that nightmares can ‘smell’ fear, which intensifies their chase through these dreamscapes. Their escapades soon catch the attention of Agent Green from the Bureau of Subconscious Activities, who is determined to imprison Flip for his refusal to wake up and his intrusion into dreams.

Following tense encounters with Agent Green, who warns Nemo that the dreams are not under her control, she faces a pivotal moment. In the waking world, Philip shows her an old video of himself and Peter, revealing that Flip is actually Philip’s dream alter-ego. With this revelation, Nemo realizes that Philip, who has always lived in the shadow of Peter, created Flip to escape his loneliness. Understanding the gravity of her mission, she returns to Slumberland to rescue Flip from the clutches of Agent Green.

Their escape is fraught with peril as they navigate back to the lighthouse. While Nemo tries to wish for the pearls, she is forcibly awakened by Ms. Arya. Yet, her desire to reconnect with her father and find the pearls propels her to sneak back out to the lighthouse once more. After a skirmish with the nightmare, Flip arrives in a makeshift airplane, allowing them to crash through dream layers, igniting chaotic awakenings among the dreamers.

As the climactic storm rages on in the waking world, Philip bravely steps up, diving into the turbulent waters to save an unconscious Nemo. In Slumberland, Green commends her for her resolve, gifting her another pearl that allows her to reunite with Peter one last time. Their heartfelt goodbye strengthens Nemo’s resolve to embrace life and the waking world.

In the end, she awakes to find Philip transformed—imbued with the adventurous spirit of Flip. Armed with newfound confidence, Nemo begins to rebuild her life, forging friendships and nurturing a closer bond with her uncle, while they set sail using one of Peter’s boats.

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 00:32

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Slumberland?

Still wondering what the ending of Slumberland (2022) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the end, Nemo’s wish to save Flip allows him to wake up, breaking free from his state of forgetfulness and reclaiming his identity as the adventurous Flip, who is actually her Uncle Philip. Her wish also triggers a rescue in the real world, where her uncle, now inspired by Nemo’s bravery and determination, jumps into the sea to save her from danger. While Nemo remains unconscious in Slumberland, she confronts her fears in the dream world and overcomes her nightmares, especially the giant squid that has been chasing her. This victory gives her the confidence to reunite with her father in a peaceful, dreamlike reunion at the lighthouse, where she receives valuable life lessons. Her father emphasizes that life is meant to be an adventure, not just about safety, encouraging her to embrace her boldness and curiosity in the real world. When Nemo wakes up, she finds herself back with her uncle, who has rediscovered his childhood spirit and newfound courage. The emotional core of the ending reveals that the power of dreams and the courage to face fears can help heal wounds and bring people closer together, turning Nemo’s journey into a story of rediscovered hope, adventure, and family bonds.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

Unlock the Full Story of Slumberland

Don't stop at just watching — explore Slumberland in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Slumberland is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Slumberland Timeline

Track the full timeline of Slumberland with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Slumberland Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Slumberland

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Slumberland. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Slumberland

Slumberland Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Slumberland? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Slumberland Ending Explained

More About Slumberland

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Slumberland: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Slumberland

Similar Movies to Slumberland

Discover movies like Slumberland that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.