W2TCH

Daniel Isn't Real (2019)

2019 • 1h 41m • Horror, Mystery • NR
On September 24, 2026
#9105▲ 927
9105th by Pulse movie online
38.6PULSEPulse MeterOur daily Pulse Meter measures public activity and popularity signals across the web.How it works →

All reviews

Filipe Manuel Neto on Daniel Isn't Real

5/10 · Dec 19, 2022

It’s nothing groundbreaking, nor particularly special, but considering what they were working with, it turned out pretty well. I stumbled across this movie while flipping through channels on TV, so I wasn't expecting much of anything going in. Afterward, I have to say I enjoyed what I watched: it thoughtfully examines the human mind and the darker aspects of personality, it moves along nicely for most of its length, and the ending is where it really fell short. The story starts by introducing a young man who had an imaginary friend as a child, someone who vanished as he got older. The stress of college and family issues bring that imaginary friend back, named Daniel, and it doesn't take long to realize his instincts are far more disturbing than anyone would want. Honestly, the movie doesn’t offer anything we haven’t seen before. There are many better-made films about imaginary friends and split personalities out there. “Fight Club” comes to mind as a prime example, and its influence is quite noticeable here. What's good about it is how smoothly and efficiently the film tells its story. The downside is that it feels predictable and like a low-budget imitation of more established movies. It would be easier to overlook if the final act had been stronger: I really disliked that confrontation between the protagonist’s normal self and his sinister alter ego, complete with a cheap carnival mask. The two main actors are young performers, both sons of well-known figures: Miles Robbins (son of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon) and Patrick Schwarzenegger (Arnold's son, naturally). They’re familiar with the film industry, and seem to be at roughly the same stage in their careers: children of stars trying to make it on their own, but still more recognized for who their parents are than for their talent. Neither one did a terrible job; they both gave committed and sincere performances. Sasha Lane wasn't bad, but she doesn’t have much screen time. Mary Stuart Masterson was better and more interesting, even though she only appears briefly and makes a solid contribution. Technically, the movie isn’t remarkable, it just does its best with limited resources. And when viewed in that context, it works well and achieves what it sets out to do. The cinematography, set design, and costumes are unremarkable, and there's an unfortunate choice of costume design towards the end, with that ugly and obviously fake mask Patrick Schwarzenegger had to wear.

Source on TMDB