Simu Liu is stepping away from his Marvel superhero persona to voice a different kind of character: a father in an “imperfect” family. In the new animated film “In Your Dreams,” Liu plays the father of two children who are struggling with his failing marriage. The ‘Shang-Chi’ star said he was “fascinated” by this realistic portrayal when director Alex Woo pitched the film.
“The way that families are depicted… is this idea that families are always happy, always smiling. They never fight. And it’s just not true,” Liu explained. He feels “it’s important that kids have imagery of families that aren’t perfect.” This Netflix film, opening in theaters Friday, is his contribution to that more authentic representation.
The film, an adventure-comedy animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks, follows the children, Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (Elias Janssen), as they seek a magical solution. They journey to find The Sandman, believing he can “fix” their parents. This quest is joined by Baloney Tony, a stuffed animal voiced by comedian Craig Robinson.
The mother of the family is voiced by Emmy and Grammy winner Cristin Milioti. She praised a duet she performs with Liu, which provides a “beautiful moment” of harmony amid the couple’s strain. This musical piece highlights what the children are so desperate to save.
The film’s message, however, is not one of magical solutions. Stevie, the young protagonist, must learn, as Hoang-Rappaport describes, that “there is no magic solution to real-life problems.” Liu’s “imperfect” father is part of a story that teaches children about the complexities of reality, love, and family.