*Warning – this article contains minor spoilers for Dream Productions*
British comic Richard Ayoade features in the new Pixar spin-off series, playing a character that brilliantly parodies his persona as an actor, writer and filmmaker.
This role also brings to mind a recent peculiar interview the star gave while promoting his latest meta project.
Dream Productions is now available on Disney+, with the four-part series being a spin-off from the much-loved Pixar film Inside Out.
The narrative delves deeper into the universe first introduced in the acclaimed animation, focusing specifically on the aspect of human character Riley that generates her dreams.
Richard Ayoade stars in the new Pixar spin off (Image: Channel 4)
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The plot revolves around Paula, a once highly successful dream director striving to create a memorable production for Riley. In her quest, she finds herself paired with a novice assistant director, Xeni, portrayed by Ayoade.
Ayoade himself is a renowned filmmaker, having written and directed Submarine in 2010 and The Double in 2013, featuring Jesse Eisenberg. While these films may not have been box office hits, they received critical praise and are best appreciated as more artistic endeavours, reports .
In his latest on-screen venture, he portrays Xeni, a ‘day dream maker’ with a penchant for improvisation. Audiences catch a humorous glimpse of Ayoade’s directorial alter ego when the character is teased for not creating ‘real dreams’, as Riley watches with eyes wide open.
In response, Xeni cheekily retorts: “That’s right our eyes our open to the real world!”
Ayoade’s character Xeni (right) is a ‘day dream maker’ (Image: Disney Pixar)
Stepping away from Pixar, Ayoade ventures into even more whimsical territory. He recently crafted an outlandish character, Harauld Hughes. A filmmaker and writer whose biography serves as Ayoade’s new comic novel.
This literary endeavour is flanked by a fabricated body of Hughes’ works, including plays, poetry, and screenplays.
An Esquire interview featuring Ayoade garnered curious attention upon release. Fans were quick to dub it ‘very weird’, noting peculiar portrayals of Ayoade.
The more observant readers detected that the article was penned by Ayoade himself, despite initial appearances.
One reader clarified: “It’s satire – written by himself (classic insincere self-effacement) hence it says by Richard Ayoade struck through and replaced by Chloe-Clifton Wright (listed as a critic on his new book).”
Another chimed in: “He has a whole book of Ayoade on ayoade, interviewing himself. It gets very weird haha.”
It’s a quintessentially Xeni move, and Ayoade seems tailor-made for the part. His recent performances demonstrate his knack for blurring the line between earnestness and humour, a trait that lends itself to the comedic authenticity required in a Pixar series.
This unique quality contributes to the charm of Dream Productions, making it a delightful viewing experience.
Dream Productions is streaming on Disney+