Daniel Isn't Real

Daniel Isn't Real, directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer and based on the novel of the same name by writer Brian DeLeeuw, for the first forty minutes of its ninety minute running time slowly cements itself as an intimate and gripping thriller. Nevertheless, before long due to one key ingredient, Mortimer's film is engulfed in a cringe-worthy sentiment that drains both the entertainment and genre.

This terrible and misguided ingredient is the antagonistic performance of Patrick Schwarzenegger as the titular character Daniel. A performance of whom Schwarzenegger describes as derived from the chaotic mind of a 1990s Nicolas Cage but is incredibly off the mark. Schwarzenegger can not manage to encapsulate a single inch of the very spirit he so desperately wants to exhibit, so much so, in fact, the viewer will wince in utter turmoil with how embarrassingly crafted the actor curates his role. If it is not the underwhelming vibe of a Hollywood fuckboy, it is a series of effortlessly raising his voice to evoke a sense of bravado, breaking rule 101 in the acting department to craft a character and an element that shows his immaturity as a still-growing performer. 

There are small elements that impress. Miles Robbins as Luke is an actor to watch out for on the circuit. His performance is one that shows his range and understanding of depth and layers, in which he elicits rather terrifically in moments of suspense or torment. Sasha Lane gets to strut her stuff but is not ever provided anything substantial to really dig deep and impress. 

The only real element, aside from Robbins, that is remotely interesting is the narrative. It is something that has a weight and depth to it regarding mental health and abuse. Daniel Isn’t Real subverts this theme quite well in its final act but ultimately, does not quite deliver the impact it wants to put forward on the viewer. It is, however, a decent starting point for director Adam Egypt Mortimer, who with a stronger cast next time around could very easily create something quite spectacular and more thematically impactful. It just remains to be seen if the promising director can turn the tide. 

DANIEL ISN’T REAL is released theatrically and digitally December 6th 2019