Watch Daniel Isn't Real

Daniel Isn't Real is a psychological thriller from 2019 that explores the intricacies of mental illness through the lens of a vivid imagination. Directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer, the movie is based on the novel In This Way I Was Saved by Brian DeLeeuw. The story revolves around the lives of two young men, each grappling with their inner demons.

Miles Robbins plays the lead character of Luke, a college student who is trying to come to terms with the traumatic childhood memories of his parents' divorce and a mother who suffers from schizophrenia. As a coping mechanism, Luke creates an imaginary friend named Daniel, who helps him navigate his troubled thoughts and feelings. However, Daniel's influence over Luke soon becomes too strong to handle, and he is forced to suppress his imaginary friend in order to lead a normal life.

Years later, while studying at university, Luke stumbles upon his childhood toy chest, which holds the key to unlocking his inner demons. He releases Daniel from the chest, and the two become inseparable once again. This time, however, Daniel is no longer just an imaginary friend, but a flesh-and-blood manifestation of Luke's psyche which has taken on a life of its own.

As Daniel grows more powerful, he becomes increasingly sinister, manipulating and pushing Luke to the brink of madness. He makes Luke believe that he is a creative genius, and encourages him to create art that is both haunting and mesmerizing. Sasha Lane plays the role of Cassie, a fellow art student who befriends Luke and tries to support him through his struggles. Cassie is the only one who sees through Daniel's manipulation and is determined to save Luke from his own inner demons.

Patrick Schwarzenegger plays the role of Daniel, and he is brilliant in his portrayal of the charming and sinister imaginary friend. Schwarzenegger's performance is a mix of charisma that is disturbingly manipulative and magnetic, drawing the audience in with his sheer presence.

Throughout the film, the audience is kept on edge with the tense and creepy atmosphere that builds steadily as Daniel's hold over Luke becomes more apparent. The themes explored in the movie are deep and disturbing, and it delves into the complexities of trauma, mental illness, and the nature of reality itself. The movie questions whether the mind can be controlled, or whether it is we who control our minds.

The cinematography is stunning, and the use of lighting enhances the mood of each scene. The score and the sound design are also noteworthy, heightening the suspense and tension in the film.

Overall, Daniel Isn't Real is a must-watch for fans of psychological horror and thriller movies. The movie is a captivating exploration of the human mind and the lengths to which our inner demons can drive us. The performances are fantastic, the themes are thought-provoking, and the direction is excellent. Adam Egypt Mortimer has created a masterpiece of psychological horror with this film.

Daniel Isn't Real is a 2019 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 61.