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Cassandra's Dream

Cassandra's Dream

Family is family. Blood is blood.

2007108 minPG-13Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Director
Woody Allen
Starring
Colin Farrell, Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Sally Hawkins

The tale of two brothers with serious financial woes. When a third party proposes they turn to crime, things go bad and the two become enemies.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Cassandra's Dream?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Cassandra's Dream streaming on Lionsgate+ via Prime Video, Pluto TV (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Cassandra's Dream?

Cassandra's Dream earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Before they were famous.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is Cassandra's Dream worth watching?

Cassandra's Dream's Midcredits score is the 61st percentile of all films, from 78K ratings across 6 sources. 61% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

61st percentile

Better received than 61% of films

63rd percentile among Crime59th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)54th
Approval (how many liked it)67th

63 /100

54th percentile of all films

56th percentile among Crime54th percentile among 2000s

Critics 49 · Audience 64

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

61% liked it

67th percentile of all films

68th percentile among Crime65th percentile among 2000s
61% rated it 7–1039% rated it 1–6

Critics 46% · Audience 49%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Reach

How many have seen it

94th percentile

78K ratings across platforms

92nd percentile among Crime89th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 36% in 30 days

Box office

Budget£13M

In British pound, not converted to dollars.

Opening weekend$362K
Domestic gross$973K
Worldwide gross$23M

86th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A slow, talky, morality-driven drama about two working-class brothers who commit murder for money.

Fans praised

  • strong brother chemistry and contrast
  • crisp dialogue and moral weight
  • Colin Farrell's guilt-ridden performance

Detractors panned

  • stilted, unnatural dialogue
  • flat, detached cinematography with no close-ups
  • predictable, slow-building plot with no tension

What stands out

ActingDivisive75

strong performances from McGregor and Farrell, especially Farrell's guilt-ridden turn

CharactersDivisive68

well-drawn brothers with contrasting personalities, thinly sketched supporting roles

DialogueDivisive50

crisp and fast for fans, stilted and unnatural for detractors

Emotional impactDivisive50

Terry's guilt is affecting, but overall cold

Plot and storyDivisive45

predictable moral dilemma, obvious trajectory

PacingDivisive40

slow build-up, rushed ending

Originality35

derivative of Allen's earlier morality tales

TensionDivisive35

limited suspense, mostly internal moral struggle

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 11 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 13 points higher than under-30s.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 10 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Cassandra's Dream like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you haunted. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
DreadTenseMelancholic
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Bleak · 8% of filmsBrooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneWoody Allen directs this as a dark, serious drama with a detached, almost clinical gaze at the brothers' moral collapse, played straight without irony.
The rideThe mood is consistently tense and foreboding as the brothers' situation worsens, with dark and melancholic undertones.
StructureStraightforward chronology following the brothers' descent into crime and guilt.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Haunted.

The answer rests on this: Haunting · 14% of filmsDevastating · 3% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe inescapable guilt and tragic ending leave a heavy, haunting feeling that lingers.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% (this title) · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Corruption arc: Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).

9% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe brothers' moral descent and guilt-driven unraveling form a classic tragedy of step-by-step corruption.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% (this title) · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsGuilt · 3% of filmsFamily bonds
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores whether the brothers can redeem themselves after agreeing to a crime, with guilt and family loyalty at the center.
StanceThe film mourns the loss of moral integrity and the fracture of a brotherly bond as crime corrupts them.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Philip Glass
SettingLondon, across working-class homes and wealthier circles
MusicPhilip Glass's score likely underscores the tension and moral gravity.

Content guide

Is Cassandra's Dream okay for kids?

PG-13

Cassandra's Dream is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexual material and brief violence” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (44/100), sexual content at mild (31/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (67/100) and frightening material at moderate (56/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 7 other countries
  • UK12A
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Ireland12
  • Brazil14
  • Austria12
  • Switzerland12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 54%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (29 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Cassandra's Dream have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Cassandra's Dream?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Colin Farrell
as Terry Blaine
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ewan McGregor
as Ian Blaine
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Hayley Atwell
as Angela Stark
newcomer then · star now
Sally Hawkins
as Kate
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Tom Wilkinson
as Howard Swann
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Phil Davis
as Martin Burns
John Benfield
as Brian Blaine
Clare Higgins
as Dorothy Blaine
Ashley Madekwe
as Lucy
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Andrew Howard
as Jerry

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Cassandra's Dream?

Movies like Cassandra's Dream include Match Point (2005), Blue Jasmine (2013) and Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989). Of the 8 closest matches, half are films set in London, and several are corruption arc stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Woody Allen directed 3 of these 8. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Cassandra's Dream?

425 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: prestige drama. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.