Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Horror thriller

Daniel Isn't Real (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Daniel Isn't Real (2019) movie poster

Daniel Isn't Real is a 2019 horror thriller directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer, starring Patrick Schwarzenegger as Daniel, Miles Robbins and Mary Stuart Masterson. It is partly based on In This Way I Was Saved by Brian DeLeeuw. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $75,407 worldwide. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$75.4K
Echo Score
72
Loading streaming availability…
Daniel Isn't Real (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Daniel Isn't Real About?

The premise of Daniel Isn't Real without spoilers, adapted from In This Way I Was Saved by Brian DeLeeuw. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

While attending college and dealing with a family tragedy, Luke resurrects his imaginary childhood friend, Daniel. Daniel is charming but unpredictable, and as their connection deepens, Luke begins a journey of self-discovery. However, Daniel's presence increasingly blurs the distinction between what's real and what's not, leading Luke down a disturbing path.

Daniel Isn't Real Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • dark room
  • child witnesses parent argument
  • imaginary friend
  • lost wallet
  • mother son relationship
  • developing a photograph
  • smashing a mirror with one's fist
  • shot in the head
  • shot in the chest
  • shot to death
  • massacre
  • tunnel
+38 more
  • punched in the face
  • chair broken over someone's back
  • blood spray
  • mace sprayed in eyes
  • hypnosis
  • dagger
  • stabbed through the chest
  • sword fight
  • suicide
  • jumping off a building
  • suicide by jumping
  • possession
  • co written by director
  • no opening credits
  • throat slit
  • hallucination
  • mental illness
  • breaking a mirror
  • creature feature
  • body horror
  • photographer
  • artist
  • college student
  • mass shooting
  • imaginary playmate
  • divorce
  • smoothie
  • superpower
  • near fatal poisoning
  • dollhouse
  • childhood home
  • suicide attempt
  • aggressive boy
  • techno music
  • shotgun
  • skateboard
  • broken mirror
  • painter
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Daniel Isn't Real Cast & Characters

Patrick Schwarzenegger leads the cast as Daniel, with Miles Robbins as Luke and Mary Stuart Masterson as Claire. Directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Daniel Isn't Real

· 14 more
From the director

More from Adam Egypt Mortimer

More films directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer, best-rated first: Archenemy, Holidays and Some Kind of Hate.

Full filmography
Ratings

Daniel Isn't Real Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Daniel Isn't Real 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

72 /100

Daniel Isn't Real Echo Score Breakdown

Daniel Isn’t Real delivers a visually compelling horror narrative with uneven narrative cohesion. Critics and viewers praised its inventive stylistic approach and engaging performances in key roles, particularly noting striking photography and dynamic interplay between leads. However, commentary frequently points to plot inconsistencies and a sense of its second half faltering under familiar genre tropes. While the film succeeds in crafting memorable visuals and moments of genuine tension, it ultimately balances moments of promise against recurring structural weaknesses.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its fluid direction and precise cinematography. Reviewers consistently highlighted memorable framing, effective use of color, and judicious editing that heightens tension. The production design and visual cohesion support the unsettling atmosphere with minimal reliance on overt CGI. Overall, the artistic elements stand out as the most consistently praised aspect of the film’s execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances receive moderate endorsement for their intensity and engagement. The leads are credited with delivering dynamic chemistry, especially in scenes depicting inner turmoil. At the same time, some supporting roles feel underdeveloped, and a subset of commentary remarks on missed opportunities for deeper emotional resonance. On balance, acting prowess is solid even as character depth remains uneven.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film demonstrates moments of originality and suspenseful pacing during its first act. Critics and users noted the inventive premise linking mental illness and horror, creating engaged investment early on. Nevertheless, many observations point to plot holes and a decline in coherence in the latter half, with reliance on genre clichés. As a result, the narrative registers as intermittently compelling but ultimately inconsistent.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When examining the sensory experience, the film stands out for its immersive sound design and distinctive visual style. Observers praised the atmospheric soundtrack cues, unsettling audio effects, and cohesive color palette that amplifies the hallucinatory sequences. The minimal yet impactful use of special effects further reinforces an immersive environment. Overall, the sensory elements constitute one of the strongest and most memorable features of the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers intriguing stylistic details and layered imagery that may reward subsequent viewings. The initial act’s inventive blend of thriller and horror elements encourages re-engagement for visual discoveries. However, uneven narrative resolution and recurring reliance on familiar tropes can reduce the drive to revisit the story in full. In the end, enjoyment on repeat viewings is moderate and contingent on one’s appreciation of its stylistic strengths.

Plot

Daniel Isn't Real Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Daniel Isn't Real from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As a young boy, the quiet and troubled Luke witnesses the harrowing aftermath of a mass shooting at a local coffee shop. Amidst the chaos, he encounters another boy named Daniel, portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger, who exudes charm and confidence and quickly becomes Luke’s friend. Despite his vibrant presence, Daniel is invisible to adults like Luke’s mother, Claire (Mary Stuart Masterson). Their friendship blossoms, providing Luke with a sense of companionship to help him navigate through his parents’ divorce.

Full summary

The whole story of Daniel Isn't Real, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Daniel Isn't Real Box Office

Daniel Isn't Real grossed $75,407 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$75.4K

International
$75.4K
Videos

Daniel Isn't Real Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Daniel Isn't Real?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What traumatic event does Luke experience in his childhood?

Details

Daniel Isn't Real Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “내 상상의 친구” and “다니엘 이즌 리얼”.

Also known as
  • 내 상상의 친구
  • 다니엘 이즌 리얼
  • Daniel není skutečný
  • Дэниел ненастоящий
  • Daniel no es real
  • Wymyślony przyjaciel
  • 丹尼尔不是真的
  • דניאל לא אמיתי
  • Деніел несправжній
  • Daniel: Amizade Aterradora
  • Daniel isn’t real
  • Der Killer in mir
+3 more
  • Даниел не е реален
  • ダニエル
  • Daniel Gerçek Değil

Seen Daniel Isn't Real?

FAQ

Daniel Isn't Real FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Daniel Isn't Real, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Daniel Isn't Real?

Daniel Isn't Real runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Daniel Isn't Real released?

Daniel Isn't Real was released on December 6, 2019.

Who directed Daniel Isn't Real?

Daniel Isn't Real was directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer.

More films by Adam Egypt Mortimer

Who is in the cast of Daniel Isn't Real?

Daniel Isn't Real stars Patrick Schwarzenegger as Daniel, Miles Robbins as Luke and Mary Stuart Masterson as Claire, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Daniel Isn't Real make at the box office?

Daniel Isn't Real grossed $75,407 worldwide.

How is Daniel Isn't Real rated?

Daniel Isn't Real has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Is Daniel Isn't Real based on a book?

Yes. Daniel Isn't Real is partly adapted from In This Way I Was Saved by Brian DeLeeuw.

Does Daniel Isn't Real have a post-credit scene?

No. Daniel Isn't Real has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app