The Mexican-American film Dreams, directed by Michel Franco and starring Jessica Chastain, explores a secret affair that reveals deep divides in wealth, power, and immigration. The movie had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2025 and has already been shown in Mexico and parts of Latin America. Here is a complete guide to the story, release schedule, and where audiences around the world can watch it.
What Is the Dreams Movie Plot About?
Dreams tells the story of a secret romance between two people from vastly different worlds. Jessica Chastain plays Jennifer McCarthy, a wealthy American socialite and philanthropist living in San Francisco. Isaac Hernรกndez stars as Fernando Rodriguez, a talented ballet dancer from Mexico.
Their relationship begins during a brief encounter in Mexico. Fernando believes their connection is strong and that Jennifer will help him achieve his artistic ambitions in the United States. He makes the dangerous decision to cross the border as an undocumented immigrant to be with her and pursue his career.
However, Fernando’s arrival in San Francisco disrupts Jennifer’s carefully controlled life. She is part of high society, married to Jake McCarthy, played by Rupert Friend, and is the daughter of a powerful man named Michael McCarthy, portrayed by Marshall Bell. The film examines what happens when love and ambition meet harsh reality, forcing both characters to confront the true nature of their relationship and the power imbalances within it. The supporting cast includes Eligio Melรฉndez and Mercedes Hernรกndez as Fernando’s parents.
The film is a drama that mixes romance with social commentary. It looks at issues like immigration, privilege, and the complex moral choices people make. Director Michel Franco is known for creating challenging and uncomfortable films, and Dreams continues this style.
Dreams Global Theatrical Release Dates
The release of Dreams has been a staged process, beginning with film festivals before moving to theaters in different countries. Here is the full timeline.
The movie first screened at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2025, where it was in the main competition for the Golden Bear award. It was also shown at the Sarajevo Film Festival in August 2025 and the Rome Film Festival in October 2025.
Its commercial theatrical release started in Mexico on September 11, 2025. In Mexico, the film is titled Dreams: Sueรฑos. It then expanded to other Latin American countries:
- Brazil: October 30, 2025
- Uruguay: November 13, 2025
- Argentina: December 11, 2025
For audiences in the United States and Canada, the wait is longer. The film is scheduled to open in theaters on February 27, 2026. The U.S. distributor is Greenwich Entertainment. As of today, January 2, 2026, the film has not yet been released in North America or in wide global circulation outside of the festival circuit and its initial Latin American run.
Where to Watch Dreams: Streaming and Online Details
As of early 2026, Dreams is not available on any streaming service for online rental, purchase, or subscription viewing. The primary way to see the film right now is in theaters in countries where it has been released.
Major streaming tracking services like JustWatch confirm there are no current online offers for the 2025 film starring Jessica Chastain. Moviefone also notes that streaming platforms for Dreams have not been announced and advises viewers to check back for updates.
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Typically, after a film finishes its theatrical run, it becomes available for digital rental or purchase (often called “Video on Demand” or VOD) before eventually moving to a subscription streaming service. The official digital release date for Dreams has not been made public. Based on common industry patterns, a digital release for the U.S. market could be expected a few months after its February 2026 theatrical debut, but this is not confirmed.
Jessica Chastain described the movie as “dark and strong,” acknowledging the challenging nature of her role and the film’s themes.
Critical Reception and Audience Reactions
Dreams has received mixed reactions from critics, highlighting its divisive nature. On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score where 70% of critics gave it a positive review, based on 27 reviews.
Some critics praised the film’s ambition and performances. Ryan Lattanzio of IndieWire graded the film an A-, calling it “Michel Franco’s most powerful film yet” and highlighting Chastain’s “daring performance”. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian awarded it four out of five stars.
Other reviews were less favorable. Stephanie Bunbury of Deadline Hollywood wrote that the film felt “flat and entirely affectless” as a drama about heartbreak. A recurring point in reviews is that the film aims to provoke discussion about social hypocrisy and immigration but sometimes struggles to balance its harsh message with emotional storytelling.
Audience reviews on sites like IMDb show a similar split. Some viewers find the film’s look at power dynamics and its dark tone to be meaningful and well-acted. Others criticize the plot and feel emotionally disconnected from the characters. The casting of real-life ballet star Isaac Hernรกndez, who had no prior acting experience, was a noted risk by director Michel Franco, who said, “I believed he could do it and was willing to take a risk”.
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