DreamQuilMovie

[Dropbox @Dropbox]

Wellness retreats, perfect details, quiet dread: it's Alex Prager’s art come to life through film.

"DreamQuil," Prager's debut feature starring Elizabeth Banks, premiered at #SXSW.

We hosted the post-premiere party & loved getting to celebrate this new chapter of Alex's careerWellness retreats, perfect details, quiet dread: it's Alex Prager’s art come to life through film.

"DreamQuil," Prager's debut feature starring Elizabeth Banks, premiered at #SXSW.

We hosted the post-premiere party & loved getting to celebrate this new chapter of Alex's careerWellness retreats, perfect details, quiet dread: it's Alex Prager’s art come to life through film.

"DreamQuil," Prager's debut feature starring Elizabeth Banks, premiered at #SXSW.

We hosted the post-premiere party & loved getting to celebrate this new chapter of Alex's careerWellness retreats, perfect details, quiet dread: it's Alex Prager’s art come to life through film.

"DreamQuil," Prager's debut feature starring Elizabeth Banks, premiered at #SXSW.

We hosted the post-premiere party & loved getting to celebrate this new chapter of Alex's career.

[Alex Prager @AlexPrager]

to all those who think Filmmaking is difficult I have no idea what you're talking about I found this experience easy serene and downright relaxing. Similar to breathing or brushing one's teeth it came so naturally I hardly even realized when it was happening.

NOT!!! 😉

making this movie was the most challenging thing i've ever done in my entire life. i understand with every inch of my being why filmmaking is a wholeheartedly collaborative endeavor - to my entire cast and crew and producers who all had the same goal as me - i couldn't have done this without you. i love you!

My sister Vanessa Prager and I wrote this script in the middle of the pandemic we wondered what life would be like if machines and automation took over and our own humanity started taking a backseat. Little did we know that we would be in the crux of that question by the time this film was released. it seems to be the question on everyone's lips. i was thinking about Brazil, Total Recall, Vertigo and Eternal Sunshine a lot while making this.

[Alex Prager @AlexPrager]

it was surreal celebrating DreamQuil with everyone at SXSW and to finally watch with a live audience - to hear the gasps, laughs and cries. Elizabeth Banks blew me away with her dual role performance as The Carols, John C Reilly brought the heart every single take. My incredible cast and crew were a dream bringing this to life with me. Juliette Lewis, Kathryn Newton, Lamorne Morris, Sophia Boutella, Toby Larsen! thank you patriot pictures, brownstone, republic/paramount pics hanway films big valley pictures and arts and sciences
and maha dakil, darin friedman, ali trustman, sarah schweitzman and lisa ziven for all your support
thank you to dropbox and Austin proper hotel for throwing us such a chic afterparty

thank you matilde campos and rachel nicole pagan for glam.
Hermes, for the gorgeous look.

📸: Wes Ellis

[Elizabeth @ElizabcthBcnks]

DreamQuil made its SXSW debut and I couldn’t be prouder. Alex Prager’s first feature is stunningly strange in all the best ways. Stay tuned.

[Filmmaker Magazine @FilmmakerMag]

@otilia_padua @mehta_critic Teased in her 25 New Faces of Film profile from 2023, @AlexPrager's feature debut DreamQuil had its world premiere at SXSW. Narrative Feature Jury member @mcastimovies spoke to Prager about the sci-fi drama.

https://t.co/ohVPZR6BBr

[The Industry @the_Industry_co]

DreamQuil premiered yesterday at SXSW. It is the most interesting film I’ve seen so far at the festival, and viscerally gets across this idea:

If we outsource the most mundane tasks of our lives to machines, we lose our humanity.

The film is wonderfully stylised, with nods to Total Recall and Stepford Wives. But wholly its own creation.

I chatted with the star, Elizabeth Banks, who told me she stopped starring in rom-coms so she could play more interesting characters—mission accomplished.

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[Inverse @inversedotcom]

'DreamQuil' director Alex Prager breaks down the retrofuturist influences in her head-spinning debut. https://t.co/f4pt2ZjU42

[Doug Jones @Capri__Son]

#Dreamquil is a retro futuristic nightmare trip. A haunting yet charming mix of ‘Total Recall’, ‘Blade Runner’ & ‘The Stepford Wives’. Elizabeth Banks is absolutely brilliant & delivers a career defining performance with John C. Riley stellar in a supporting role.

[Alex Prager @AlexPrager]

Film stills from my film DreamQuil, premiering @SXSW March 16!

1) Detail of Gibson Apartment Block, sullied by microplastics in the air gives the dense orange glow.

2) Carol Gibson, a recent participant, awakes from her DreamQuil experience.

3) Carol Two hosts a celebratory dinner party Gary Gibson fawns over her.

Photos © DreamQuil (2026)

[Alex Prager @AlexPrager]

David Canfield and The Hollywood Reporter thank you for the DreamQuil writeup! Thank you for seeing DreamQuil in all its strangeness, beauty, absurdity and importance. I’m so excited beyond what words can describe to share this movie with the world. Austin first… @sxsw march 16 & 17 see you there!!!

Elisabeth, you’re the only person who could have played The Carols and make us believe.
John, you legend, thank you for bringing the emotional truth.
I had the best cast and crew!!!

Feeling uncomfortable things is okay because that’s a sign that we’re alive, but most people these days want to numb themselves or go to sleep so they don’t have to experience something uncomfortable. I wanted to look into that: What are the consequences of deciding you’re not going to confront feeling uncomfortable?

Thank you for backing me every step of the way on this one @ParamountPics, Patriot Pictures, @HanWayFilms, Brownstone, Big Valley Pictures, Arts & Sciences

https://t.co/rWTScoakH7

[Alex Prager @AlexPrager]

On the miniature set of DreamQuil built by the warren brothers @BlindBeagleVFX who are 3rd generation miniature makers and special effects craftsmen.

Their work is always at the highest level and epitomizes movie magic. Miniatures and in camera practical effects are synonymous with my process and are the heart of much of my world building.

For me, it was vital to work practically for DreamQuil given the current fascination with automated technologies what you see isn’t always what it appears to be.

World premiere at @sxsw this March

[Alex Prager @AlexPrager]

ahhhhh!! this has been such a long time coming… I’m so happy I can finally share with you all in the world!!!
my first feature film DreamQuil is having its world premiere at @SXSW. I had the best cast, I’m so grateful to each for giving me their heart forever immortalized in DreamQuil

I wrote this film with my sister, @vanessaprager and it was my great fortune to have the most incredible craftspeople helping me bring it to life.

I got to use classic movies techniques and shoot in the greatest movie city on earth, the city I was born - Los Angeles, California. Making a movie was the most simultaneously exhilarating and excruciating experience I’ve ever had and I absolutely cannot wait to make my next…

#DreamQuilmovie
Starring Elizabeth Banks and John C. Reilly

@ElizabethBanks @therealjohncreilly @sofisia7 @JulietteLewis @kathrynnewton @LamorneMorris @Tobytobes4
@paramountpics @hanway_films @patriotpictures @bigvalleypictures @artsandsciences_ brownstone