'Dreams in Nightmares' is a road-trip movie about living on your own terms

In "Dreams in Nightmares," writer and director Shatara Michelle Ford crafts a road-trip movie centered around a group of close friends navigating their own paths in life. The film, a sequel to Ford's earlier, poignant "Test Pattern," offers a lighter, warmer tone. Set in the mid-30s, the protagonists are a group of queer Black friends facing a pivotal moment.

The movie follows Z, a Los Angeles-based writer played by Denée Benton from "The Gilded Age," who has recently lost her job. Z's friend Tasha, played by Sasha Compère, also lost her consulting gig around the same time. They decide to embark on a spontaneous road trip to visit their other friends, Lauren and Kel, in Iowa City.

Throughout their journey, the trio prioritizes their well-being and the support of Black-owned businesses. Their experiences highlight the complexities of balancing artistic pursuits and practical concerns. Lauren, a poet, performs at a poetry slam in Pittsburgh, while Z contemplates writing her book, and Tasha, practical and pragmatic, occasionally clashes with her friends' more adventurous spirit.

The road trip is not without its challenges, including unexpected detours and encounters with Kel's ex-girlfriend and conservative parents. Despite these obstacles, the friends' camaraderie and support for one another remain strong. Dreams in Nightmares underscores the importance of living life on one's own terms, allowing the characters to dream of a future that has yet to be written.