Strawberry Mansion

In the year 2035, society is subjected to a government mandate that imposes taxes on dreams. This policy is accompanied by increased surveillance of the populace, altering the fabric of daily life and individual freedoms.

Dream Auditor James Preble sets out for the serene countryside to meet the elderly artist Arabella Isadora, affectionately called Bella. Bella lives in a charming home known as Strawberry Mansion, accompanied by her beloved pet tortoise, Sugar Baby.

As part of his auditing duties, Preble begins reviewing Bella's dreams, which are meticulously archived on an extensive collection of VHS tapes. During this process, he stays in her guest room, further deepening their budding connection.

While auditing, Preble becomes engrossed in his own dreams where he meets Buddy, a charismatic pitchman in an alluring pink room. His dreamscape shifts when he encounters a younger version of Bella, igniting a profound bond between them.

Bella discloses the government's scheme that allows advertisers to invade people's dreams with marketing. To protect himself from Buddy's incessant commercials, she gifts Preble with homemade headgear that shields him from this intrusion.

Tragically, Bella passes away peacefully, leaving Preble in a state of heartbreak. Upon discovering her lifeless body, he grapples with the loss and reflects on their meaningful connection.

Bella's estranged son, Peter Bloom, arrives with his family to manage her affairs after her death. Peter insinuates that Preble's audit is complete, but a tension-filled confrontation unfolds between them.

Preble witnesses Peter's wife, Martha, and their son, Brian, destroying Bella's precious VHS tapes. This act is a federal offense, escalating the conflict when Peter reacts violently, knocking Preble out with a bowling pin.

In his unconscious state, Preble dreams of being chased by oversized caricatures of Peter's family. Just as he feels overwhelmed, he is once again rescued by the enchanting younger version of Bella, seeking solace on a small island.

On the island, Preble and Bella's bond flourishes as they enjoy a simple and harmonious life together. However, Bella confides in Preble about Peter's position as CEO of a major advertising corporation, complicating their relationship.

Their idyllic existence is disrupted by the emergence of numerous versions of Buddy, the persistent advertiser. Preble wakes up to find Peter attacking him again, this time in a fiery confrontation that threatens his life.

After a dramatic wake, Preble dreams of being a ship's captain alongside two anthropomorphic rats on a seven-year journey to find Bella. As doubts about their mission begin to surface, danger looms over their voyage.

The journey takes a perilous turn when a gigantic Blue Demon attacks their ship. Preble, driven by love and conviction, dines with the Blue Demon and learns of Bella's captivity, prompting him to devise a rescue plan.

After successfully freeing Bella from the Blue Demon, she warns Preble about an impending fire threatening their existence. He morphs into a caterpillar and travels through ages to return to his dream room, preparing for the final encounter with Buddy.

In a climactic battle, Bella aids Preble in triumphing over Buddy, marking a significant turning point. They ascend into the cosmos, but awareness of an impending fire threatens their fleeting existence, culminating in a bittersweet goodbye.

Upon awakening, Preble narrowly escapes the burning Strawberry Mansion but makes a poignant choice to retrieve Bella's headgear, Sugar Baby, and a cherished VHS tape. He watches the tape, which features a spirited date between Bella and a mysterious grass man.

The magical conclusion unfolds as the grass reveals Preble beneath it, symbolizing his intertwined fate with Bella. Together, they embark on a new journey, hand-in-hand, back to Strawberry Mansion, embodying hope and enduring love.