In Your Dreams Director Alex Woo Talks Childhood Nightmares, Baloney Tony’s Origins, and His Venture Bros. Beginnings – INTERVIEW

In Your Dreams director explores childhood memories, surreal humor, and the meaning of family in new animated film.

Netflix’s animated adventure In Your Dreams brings together comedy, fantasy, and plenty of heart. Director Alex Woo’s inspiration runs deeper than fans might expect. The film, now streaming, follows siblings Stevie and Elliot as they navigate the bizarre landscape of their own dreams. Along the way, they encounter zombie breakfast foods, a sarcastic stuffed giraffe, and the queen of nightmares as they chase their ultimate wish from the Sandman: the perfect family.

Woo spoke with me about how childhood memories, early animation work, and personal family stories shaped the emotional core of his feature debut.

A Childhood Nightmare That Never Left

Woo says his lifelong fascination with dreams began with one unforgettable childhood nightmare. In the interview, he recalls floating above a funeral as a young child and slowly realizing the casket held his own body. The moment became his first understanding of mortality. “It was such a vivid and powerful dream that stuck with me my whole life,” Woo says in the transcript. That memory helped shape the film’s emotional approach to fear and identity.

The Real-Life Origins of Baloney Tony

One of the movie’s breakout characters is Baloney Tony, the stuffed giraffe with a snack-filled pocket and a sarcastic edge. Woo shared that the character emerged from two nostalgic memories. The first came from matching childhood teddy bears he shared with his brother, one humorously nicknamed in a way only siblings could love. The second inspiration came from co-director Erik Benson’s childhood “My Pet Monster,” which hid snacks and toys from siblings.

“There was something beautiful in loving something messy and imperfect,” Woo explains. That idea mirrors Stevie’s arc as she learns to embrace life’s chaos rather than run from it.

How Storyboarding Prepared Woo for Directing

Woo’s career began as a storyboard artist, including early work on The Venture Bros., which he called his first big break. He says storyboarding taught him how to visualize stories, frame emotion, and think cinematically—training that naturally led him into directing.

“In many ways, you’re doing the same type of work a director does,” Woo says. The experience also led to an unexpected connection. Cristin Milioti, who voices Mom in In Your Dreams, also voiced characters on The Venture Bros.

A Voice Cast Packed With Comedy and Heart

In Your Dreams also brings together a standout voice cast that adds humor and warmth to Stevie and Elliot’s adventure. The animated film features Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, and Elias Janssen.

Omid Djalili, Gia Carides, SungWon Cho, and Zachary Noah Piser round out the ensemble, each bringing their own energy to the dreamworld’s colorful characters.

A Dreamworld Worth Revisiting

When asked whether audiences might see more adventures in this surreal universe, Woo says he’s hopeful. “If it does well enough on Netflix, maybe we’ll get a sequel,” he shares. For now, In Your Dreams stands as a vibrant, imaginative story about family, resilience, and the bizarre magic of dreams—rooted in Woo’s real-life memories and creative journey.

In Your Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.

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