'Dreams' Is Earning Praise Abroad — So Why Is It Still Waiting on a U.S. Release?

Despite its warm reception on the festival circuit, Dreams, the latest feature from Mexican auteur Michel Franco, has yet to secure a release date in the United States. The film premiered back in February at the Berlinale, where it quickly caught the attention of critics, not least for Jessica Chastain’s commanding lead performance. The actress plays a well-to-do woman who embarks on a delicate and ultimately complicated romance with a mexican male ballet dancer. The pairing is unusual, the emotional stakes are high, and the result, by all accounts, is quietly devastating.

Greenwich Entertainment picked up the film in May, but it’s been radio silence on a U.S. theatrical window ever since. This is somewhat puzzling, considering the wave of positive reviews from outlets like The Guardian, THR, Screen, and IndieWire. Even Deadline joined the chorus, albeit with a slightly cryptic comment that Franco is "skewer[ing] woke hypocrisy" — though what exactly that means remains open to interpretation.

Not everyone was impressed, of course: The Playlist strongly disliked the film. Still, the divided response only adds to the sense that Dreams is the kind of work that invites conversation — and possibly controversy — when it finally lands.

That conversation is already starting to take shape online. On Reddit, users have begun sharing their early impressions, reflecting the film’s polarising effect.

"I’m one of those weirdos who liked Memory and if Dreams is even better, oh wow," writes visionaryredditor.

"Reviews on Letterboxd are all over the place, ranging from 'fantastic' to 'who the hell approved this' — so I’m intrigued," notes shy247er.

Meanwhile, Movies_Music_Lover adds: "I liked the first two acts. It was a good up and down romantic drama. The third act is different. Some people appreciated it. I didn't. It’s definitely worth a watch though." Clearly, even without a wide release, the film is already making waves among cinephiles.

It’s clear that Franco remains a festival favourite. With multiple appearances at Cannes and Venice under his belt, he’s become a regular presence in Europe’s most prestigious cinematic lineups. Dreams may not yet have found its American audience, but when it does, it could well prove one of his most enduring works to date.