Daniela Forever Movie Review: A Sci-Fi Love Story Rooted in Grief and Lucid Dreams
Daniela Forever is a heartfelt blend of romance, science fiction, and emotional drama, directed by Nacho Vigalondo. Starring Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannò, this 2024 film explores love, loss, and the power of lucid dreaming through a unique and deeply human lens. Set in Madrid, the story follows a grieving man who turns to experimental technology to relive memories with his lost girlfriend.
A Grieving Heart Meets Futuristic Therapy
After the tragic death of his girlfriend Daniela, Nicolas is consumed by grief and depression. Once a lively DJ, he now lives in isolation, drowning in sorrow and unable to find purpose. When he learns about a sleep trial designed to induce lucid dreams, he seizes the chance to escape reality and return to a life where Daniela still exists.
Unlike typical sci-fi love stories, Daniela Forever doesn’t erase memories but instead rebuilds them. Using a daily pill and personalized memory prompts, Nicolas is able to recreate moments from his past, imagine new interactions, and reawaken joy. But as he becomes increasingly obsessed with the dream world, the line between reality and illusion begins to blur.
Lucid Dreaming and Emotional Escapism
The film captures the emotional turmoil of grief while presenting a hauntingly beautiful look at the power and danger of lucid dreaming. Vigalondo contrasts Nicolas’ real world, shot in a narrow 4:3 aspect ratio, with vivid widescreen dream sequences filled with rich color and surreal warmth. The visual divide strengthens the film’s theme—how one man becomes trapped between memory and reality.
Henry Golding brings depth to Nicolas, portraying a man whose desperation to feel love again pushes him toward dangerous choices. Beatrice Grannò shines as Daniela, a character who evolves within the dream world and begins to exhibit AI-like awareness, raising questions about identity and consciousness in dreams.
A Concept with Promise, Slightly Undercooked
While the premise is powerful and timely, the film occasionally loses momentum. The screenplay introduces complex themes—mental health, memory manipulation, and ethical boundaries of technology—but doesn’t fully explore them. Emotional moments feel real, but narrative development is inconsistent, and certain subplots are left unresolved.
The film also touches on the loneliness of digital escapism. As Nicolas isolates himself from the real world and hides the truth from researchers, he becomes addicted to dreams that feel more genuine than life itself. This modern dilemma—choosing artificial comfort over painful reality—is one many viewers will find relatable.
Performances and Visuals That Leave a Mark
Henry Golding delivers a performance filled with quiet pain, portraying a man slowly unraveling under the weight of grief. His chemistry with Grannò makes their dreamlike romance feel authentic and bittersweet. The cinematography by Jon D. Dominguez gives the film its atmospheric edge, switching formats to signal emotional and visual shifts.
Though the pacing stumbles and the plot leaves some threads hanging, Daniela Forever succeeds in offering a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience. It invites viewers to reflect on how we process loss—and whether living in a dream is ever better than waking life.
Daniela Forever Movie Trailer:
Final Thoughts: Daniela Forever Movie Review
Daniela Forever is a visually poetic and emotionally charged sci-fi film about love, memory, and the risks of chasing what’s gone. It may not answer every question it raises, but it leaves a lasting impression through its heartfelt performances, unique concept, and exploration of grief in the digital age. Fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Her, and Fingernails will find this a worthy addition to the modern sci-fi romance genre.
Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Runtime: 1h 53min
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Cast: Henry Golding, Beatrice Grannò
