Let’s Talk About What Dreams May Come
This film found me during a moment when I was deeply exploring the mysteries of life, death, and the afterlife. Synchronicity, as always, played its part. Even though What Dreams May Come is an older film, it came into my life not long after I spent Día de los Muertos in Mexico—a celebration that sparked a profound journey of reflection for me.
The story, starring Robin Williams as Chris Nielsen, explores the afterlife through stunning visuals and a deeply emotional narrative. Chris’s journey to reunite with his wife Annie after her tragic suicide struck a personal chord. My grandmother also took her own life back in the 1940s, and her story has always been shrouded in pain and silence within my family. For years, I felt compelled to understand what might await someone who chooses to leave this world in that way. Watching Chris’s love and determination resonated deeply with my attempts to connect with and support my grandmother’s spirit from this realm.
My exploration of the afterlife took me through the lenses of Mexican, Egyptian, and Tibetan cultures, and I was struck by the similarities in how they view death as a transition, not an ending. My journey even led me to initiation into Tibetan death rituals, a practice that later brought me immense comfort when my father passed away at 91. For a man who was neither religious nor spiritual, his final years were filled with incredible experiences—visions of visitors from other planes who prepared him for what was to come.
His death was a peaceful, magical event. Surrounded by flowers, incense, mantras, and love, I felt I had done everything possible to help him cross the veil and reunite with his parents. My children, too, experienced his passing as something sacred and loving, not traumatic, and I consider that one of the greatest gifts I could give them.
Watching What Dreams May Come was like revisiting all these lessons through a beautifully crafted lens. The film’s portrayal of heaven and hell, shaped by Chris’s subconscious and choices, resonated with my understanding of the afterlife as deeply personal and interconnected. Its themes of love, loss, and redemption echo much of what I’ve come to believe about our journey beyond this plane.
What is the Movie About?
What Dreams May Come is a visually stunning and emotionally rich exploration of life, death, and the afterlife. Robin Williams plays Chris Nielsen, a man whose life takes a tragic turn when he loses his family. After his own death, Chris journeys through a surreal and beautiful afterlife, guided by love and a mysterious mentor, as he seeks to reunite with his wife, Annie, who has taken her own life.
The film dives into themes of love’s enduring power, the impact of grief, and the boundless nature of the human spirit. It offers a striking portrayal of the afterlife, blending stunning landscapes with deeply emotional storytelling.
Themes and Reflections
The Nature of the Afterlife: The movie presents a deeply personal vision of heaven and hell, shaped by our own subconscious and choices.
Love’s Unbreakable Bond: Chris’s journey is a testament to love’s power to transcend time, space, and even death.
Grief and Healing: The film explores how loss shapes us and how the healing process can unfold across realms.
Cultural Perspectives on Death: Though fictional, the film touches on universal ideas about death and the soul’s journey, resonating with many spiritual traditions.
Personal Responsibility in the Afterlife: The film suggests that our experiences after death are deeply tied to how we process our lives.
Here are a few questions for reflection & Movie Club discussions for this film:
How did the film’s portrayal of heaven and hell resonate with your personal beliefs or cultural perspectives?
Do you think Chris’s journey to find Annie was an act of selflessness or selfishness? Why?
How did the movie’s exploration of grief and loss make you reflect on your own experiences with these emotions?
Would you risk everything to be reunited with a loved one, as Chris did? Why or why not?
How does What Dreams May Come compare to other films or stories you’ve encountered about the afterlife?
Did the film change how you view the impact of our emotions and choices on our journey beyond this life?
What lessons about love and connection did you take away from the story?
How do the visuals and artistry of the film enhance its message about the afterlife?
If you’ve explored spiritual or cultural teachings about death, how did they align or contrast with the film’s vision?
What message from the film stayed with you the most, and why?
Where to Watch: Link