In order to stop his bad dreams, a young boy steals a dreamcatcher from a mysterious neighbor forcing his family to rescue him from a nightmarish entity.
Radha Mitchell consistently demonstrates a strong supporting presence for any production in which she attaches herself. As a committed wife and stepmother – as well as a producing credit – in “Dreamkatcher,” she once again remains true to form. Similarly, her tormented stepson Josh, played by Finlay Wojtak-Hissong, serves up a confident performance that might well have carried the presumptive sequel along. At the end of the day, however, not enough happens in “Dreamkatcher” to make the outing very interesting.
For one thing, the narrative takes some elements too much for granted. The function of a dreamcatcher never receives any clear explanation, probably due to the attention received by earlier movies, novels, and merchandise. In essence, the amulet or talisman allows good dreams to pass through the center, while supposedly trapping bad dreams in its web. Such a device would seem tailor-made for Josh, who has recurring nightmares featuring the Night Hag (Joseph Bishara). One afternoon, he lifts the dreamcatcher from an unsuspecting neighbor played by Lin Shaye. From there, things go south in more ways than one.
Despite the weakness in plotting, the cast holds up its end of the bargain admirably enough. Shaye turns in another credible performance as the mysterious acquaintance down the road, who may or may not have the family’s best interests in mind. Now a veritable staple for horror films, Shaye once again offers a welcome presence. Henry Thomas – who will forever and always be remembered as Elliott, the little kid who befriends the stranded alien in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” – sort of muddles through as the bewildered father and husband harboring memories of his dead wife. His extended disappearance in the middle of the film suggests perhaps he should have been given more to do.
Kerry Harris provides the story and direction for this uneven production during its brief 85-minute runtime. While the early scenes appear promising and suitably foreboding, ultimately the film feels a bit too much like a journey without a destination.
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