Presented by Films Fanatik and Horreur Fanatik
Daniel Isn't Real
Directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer
Hosted by Director Adam Egypt Mortimer
Official selection
SXSW 2019 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2019 Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival 2019
Honors
SXSW Film Design Award - Excellence in Poster Design
Director
Adam Egypt Mortimer
Writer
Brian DeLeeuw
Cast
Sasha Lane, Hannah Marks, Miles Robbins, Patrick Schwarzenegger,, Mary Stuart Masterson
Producer
Josh C. Waller, Daniel Noah, Lisa Whalen, Elijah Wood
Cinematographer
Lyle Vincent
Composer
Clark
Editor
Brett Bachman
contact
Samuel Goldwyn Films
“A near-perfect combination of body horror, cosmic horror and psychological horror that gets under your skin while also finding its way into your heart”- Trace Thurman, BLOODY DISGUSTING
“A psychological thriller married with cosmic body horror in inventive, original, and exciting ways”- Jonathan Barkan, DREAD CENTRAL
College freshman Luke (Miles Robbins of HALLOWEEN 2018 and BLOCKERS) has to leave his mentally ill mother (played brilliantly by Mary Stuart Masterson of BENNY AND JOON) behind and live his own life. He quickly realizes his social ineptitude and his inability to deal with his problems, and turns to the most unlikely of places for help — his childhood imaginary friend Daniel (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger). A perfect doppelganger to Luke, Daniel’s slick, bold confidence and charm seeps into Luke’s life, turning him from dud to stud. But Daniel’s audacious and grandiose exterior quickly begins to crack, revealing an increasingly sadistic and violent core. As Daniel’s stranglehold on Luke’s psyche tightens, Luke starts to question who, or what, Daniel really is…
The horrors of trauma and mental illness are central themes to Adam Egypt Mortimer’s (SOME KIND OF HATE, HOLIDAYS) decidedly devious adaptation of Brian DeLeeuw’s novel In This Way I Was Saved. As the line that divides Luke and Daniel blurs, the film dives into vivid dreams sequences that are haunted by monstrosities and demons both shocking and undeniably enthralling. This, coupled with fantastic performances from a slew of up-and-coming stars (Schwarzenegger and Robbins are also joined by Sasha Lane of AMERICAN HONEY and the 2019 HELLBOY, and Hannah Marks of DIRK GENTLY) set this film apart from a run-of-the-mill tale of dual personas. Potent horror coupled with intoxicating visual effects and a talented young cast makes DANIEL ISN’T REAL a film that will really have you seeing double. – Justin Langlois
Showings
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