Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Daniel Isn't Real Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 24, 2024

“Daniel Isn’t Real” is probably the film 1991’s “Drop Dead Fred” should’ve been. Instead of offering mind-numbing monkey business with the premise of an imaginary friend returning to the adult life of his inventor, “Daniel Isn’t Real” goes pitch-black with the concept, treating the invisible partner as a driving force of encroaching madness. Co-writers Adam Egypt Mortimer (who also directs) and Brian DeLeeuw (adapting his 2009 novel) don’t mess around with the story, transforming one young man’s fight for sanity into a violent journey that crosses through mental illness, cosmic dangers, and destructive behavior. It’s an unhinged endeavor at times, but a fascinating one, bravely avoiding cutesiness to remain in Hell, where Mortimer feels most comfortable.

As a boy, Luke (Miles Robbins) experienced tremendous trauma watching his mother, Claire (Mary Stuart Masterson), battle schizophrenia, destroying her family. To help combat such horrors at home and in the world, Luke conjures Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger), an imaginary friend who’s much more than a playful companion. Daniel pushes Luke to become independent, and he helps concoct a special drink meant to kill Claire. Soon locked away in a dollhouse, Daniel disappears from view, leaving Luke to grow up, now facing social challenges in college. With Claire losing contact with reality, Luke decides to reunite with Daniel, allowing his pal to lead him to extremes in behavior, giving him the confidence to romance Cassie (Sasha Lane), an artist who responds to Luke’s unusual ways. However, Daniel quickly returns to his dark tendencies, sending his companion into an emotional tailspin, unable to control an entity that may not be a figment of his imagination, but a warning of what’s to come with his own fragile psychological state.

We meet Luke as a child, where he’s exposed to the horrors of home, watching his parents clash over Claire’s mental health. His mother objects to medication, welcoming instability, which inspires Luke to run away, only to spot the aftermath of a mass shooting inside a local diner, witnessing unimaginable violence for the very first time. Daniel is soon born, with the screenplay avoiding a direct analysis of Luke’s split to enjoy the moment, as the lonely kid finally has a pal who understands him, with the pair tearing off on multiple misadventures. Early scenes detail jubilant energy and protection from domestic realities, but matters darken once Daniel dreams up a way to give Claire eternal sleep, pushing Luke to kill his mother with an overdose of pills. She survives and Daniel is banished, sent to rot inside a family dollhouse, giving Luke a break from his toxic influence.

The rest of “Daniel Isn’t Real” follows an adult Luke trying to navigate the pressures of college, living with a loutish roommate and struggling to keep up with class demands. Once again, he’s alone, but also aware of Claire’s downward spiral as she loses herself to schizophrenia, with Luke delivering her to the care she needs. He’s left with his own problems, breaking Daniel out of his dollhouse prison to live again, feeling the rush of companionship as the guys hit up parties and explore the city. This reunion triggers new problems for Luke, but “Daniel Isn’t Real” is more interested in the seduction of confusion, watching as Luke, with Daniel’s urging, approaches women, including Cassie, and takes a hobby in photography, giving him an identity. The imaginary friend pulls his pal out of the shadows but only encourages his darkness, while Luke tries to keep his head above water with periodic visits to his therapist, Dr. Braun (Chukwudi Iwuji), who slowly grasps what’s going on inside his patient’s deteriorating mind.

Daniel Isn't Real Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Daniel Isn't Real" provides a textured look at frame information, doing well with skin particulars on the cast, tracking levels of wear and makeup achievements. Locations around the city are dimensional, and interiors maintain study of decorative additions. Trips into unreality are also reasonably defined. Colors are appreciable, with the yellows and purples of madness present. Primaries are secure, offering distinct hues on style choices and greenery. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Compression issues are found often throughout the viewing experience, with banding common.

Daniel Isn't Real Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix remains active, supporting the physical and mental disruption facing the main character. Dialogue exchanges are sharp, losing nothing during moments of anger or hushed emotionality. Scoring supports with defined instrumentation, and musical moods push out into the surrounds. Atmospherics are active, exploring community movement and travels into different environments, with some panning effects pronounced. Sound effects are sharp. Low-end retains some presence during moments of violence and electro-pop support.

Daniel Isn't Real Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (18 pages) contains essays by Amy Nicholson and Glenn Howerton.

• Intro (2:42, HD) finds co-writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer welcoming viewers to the Blu-ray release of "Daniel Isn't Real," which took some time to reach disc. The helmer walks through the supplementary features, and doesn't address his own dark double hanging out in the room.

• Commentary #1 features co-writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer.

• Commentary #2 features co-writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer and co-writer Brian DeLeeuw.

• Commentary #3 features co-writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer and writer Grant Morrison.

• Storyboard to Scenes (HD) include "Opening" (1:22), "Scene 11" (:30), "Scene 63" (1:38), and "Scene 81/82" (2:41).

• Script to Screens (HD) includes "The Giant Spider" (8:40), "The Poisoned Dog" (8:56), "The Train" (12:22), "The Chase" (24:28), and "The Sword Fight" (12:18).

• Deleted Scenes (HD) include "Sand Castle" (1:41), "Daniel Dancing" (1:13), "Date Night" (3:29), and Steam Pipes" (1:01). These can be viewed with or without commentary by co-writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer.

• Alternate Ending (1:27, HD) is offered. It can be viewed with or without commentary by co-writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer.

• Image Gallery #1 (5:16) collects BTS snaps and publicity shots.

• Image Gallery #2 (1:45) focuses on pre-production art, BTS snaps, and planning for the "Face Flicker" sequence."

• Image Gallery #3 (24:55) focused on "Style Guide" imagery and instructions.

• Image Gallery #4 (:57) examines the "Demon Face" model.

• "The Abyss: Extended Version" (10:07, HD) provides a longer look at a special effects achievement.

• "The Abyss: Layers Decomposition" (:45, HD) highlights visual assembly.

• Animation Test (:26, HD) is a brief look at the creation of "Daniel's Fortress."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:01, HD) is included.

Daniel Isn't Real Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Daniel Isn't Real" prefers to remain in a state of delusion, with the screenplay addressing the cruelty of schizophrenia in unique ways. Daniel becomes something of a puppet master, bullying Luke into dangerous actions, and when that fails, he tries to take physical control of his body, sampling carnal and violent delights. Mortimer arranges several freak-outs and breakdowns, using surreal imagery and special effects to unnerve and understand. The feature is no mystery, but a slow descent into insanity, as Luke battles himself for control of his brain. There are tonal extremes that get away from Mortimer, but he's dedicated to the cause, going psychedelic and demonic at times to increase visual intensity, though he does just fine with the core partnership between a frayed young man and the figment of his imagination who most likely wants him to die.