Review | Berlin 2025: Dreams movie review – Jessica Chastain in chilling film on US-Mexico relations
Jessica Chastain plays the rich lover of an illegal immigrant in Michel Franco’s exploration of America’s relationship with poorer neighbour
3.5/5 stars
“I want to take care of you,” coos Jessica Chastain’s wealthy American in Michel Franco’s latest film, Dreams, playing in competition at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival.
It is another sparse, clinical work from the Mexican-born Franco, who last gave us 2023’s sublime Memory – which co-starred Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.
In his new film – which will leave you dazed and disquieted, and is likely to rattle around your head for days after watching it – Chastain headlines as Jennifer, a San Francisco socialite whose father’s foundation has been funding arts initiatives in Mexico City.
There she met Fernando (Isaac Hernández), a dancer working for the foundation – although we only learn this in flashback.
The film begins as Fernando – who was deported from the United States in 2013 – crosses from Mexico into the US in a truck filled with other illegal immigrants.
