Mean Dreams
Vertical Entertainment | Release Date: March 17, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
4
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperMar 16, 2017
While the plot often travels familiar paths and even the impressive camerawork is evocative of other films, Mean Dreams has a few story tricks up its sleeve — and it has Bill Paxton, playing one of the most odious characters he ever played, and doing it with absolute mastery. Read full review
75
ObserverRex ReedMar 21, 2017
Not a great film in the same vein as "Badlands" and "Pretty Poison," but a very good one that is well worth seeing. Read full review
75
The Film StageMike MazzantiMar 16, 2017
While Mean Dreams stumbles once or twice, it is a thrillingly dark fable draped in beautiful images and a layered, menacing performance from Paxton. Read full review
75
IndieWireEric KohnMar 13, 2017
The pervasive elegance makes up for a largely derivate plot. We’ve seen variations on this story before, and Mean Dreams doesn’t do much to shake up expectations — until, that is, a violent finale that punctuates the characters’ psychological development. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Brad WheelerMar 13, 2017
Spiritual questions and thoughts on the importance of flesh-and-blood relationships are raised, but the strength of the you-can-run-but-you-can’t-hide drama is the dewy charisma of the two young co-stars. Read full review
70
TheWrapTricia OlszewskiMar 16, 2017
Though the strong performances of Nélisse and Wiggins are key to convince you that they not only care for each other but are capable of thinking on their feet, it’s Paxton who must deliver sufficient menace to propel the story — and he’s terrifying. Read full review
70
The New York TimesAndy WebsterMar 16, 2017
Nathan Morlando’s Mean Dreams may use a time-honored premise — young lovers on the lam (see: “Badlands”) — but it does so with such quiet, gently appealing assurance that it makes the template seem fresh again. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKimber MyersMar 16, 2017
Featuring one of Bill Paxton’s final performances, Mean Dreams is a painful reminder of the actor’s great talents. Read full review
70
Village VoiceLuke Y. ThompsonMar 15, 2017
For better or for worse, Paxton's performance will be the focus of viewers’ attention, so it is decidedly to the good that he doesn't just deliver. He gives a sort of master class on why we've loved him: Paxton was amazing in the role of regular guys, and equally compelling as the subversion of same. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyMar 13, 2017
As the stakes are heightened, the filmmakers too often short-change dramatic verisimilitude with movie-ish cliché, implausible plotting and cumbersome dialogue. Read full review
50
Movie NationRoger MooreMar 14, 2017
Paxton makes a marvelous menace. The picture’s biggest failing is losing sight of him for the middle acts, and its second biggest failing is giving the equally valuable Colm Feore too little to do. Read full review
50
Screen DailyAllan HunterMar 13, 2017
Director Nathan Morlando makes a concerted effort to inject dynamism and emotion into the telling of Mean Dreams, but fights a losing battle against the cliched writing and some risible plotting. Read full review
50
VarietyGuy LodgeMar 13, 2017
The join-the-bullet-holes nature of Mean Dreams' storytelling would be less of a problem if the characterization were a little more textured, but for all the picturesque anguish on display, the febrile messiness of actual human life is little in evidence. Read full review
38
RogerEbert.comNick AllenMar 17, 2017
As for Paxton, he enters the story with an edge, establishing the authority and revealing sensitivity of a single father with a powerful job. It’s not a career-topping role by any means but it is a reminder of how the late actor could take on a role with sincerity and breathe some type of life into it. Read full review
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