![]() If the dream was a nightmare, this could be a Shock-and-Switch Ending. When the trope is inverted, it may turn out That Was Not a Dream. If the dream is a quick-hit gag instead of a major element of the narrative, you have a Daydream Surprise. Often deconstructed with the Dream Apocalypse. ![]() Compare with Nested Story Reveal, a similar trope that lacks the dream aspect. See also Crashing Dreams, Or Was It a Dream?, Fantasy Keepsake, Dream Intro, Dream Reality Check, Dying Dream, Catapult Nightmare, and Adventures in Comaland. It's also a popular trope for music videos. This trope - along with Dead All Along - makes up the basis for the Delusion Conclusion, one of many Stock Epileptic Trees. Even if it's done well, it may require a lot of Willing Suspension of Disbelief. However, if it's done badly, expect some audience members to be seriously annoyed, as it might feel like a Deus ex Machina (or worse, lead to Opening a Can of Clones). An especially useful device in horror movies, where it can be used to subject the characters (and audience) to all manner of fit-inducing terrors without really affecting the narrative. Normally, this really grates on the audience, as in general it tends to completely undermine the story that's just been told if none of it was real, then what was the point? As such, it tends to work best when done humorously (the more silly something is, the easier it can be to accept that it doesn't really matter), and if it was just one episode of a larger whole, it can undo damage done by having a Writer on Board. If other characters start acting out of character or otherwise just don't seem to be quite themselves during the dream sequence, expect lots of finger-pointing and exclamations of " And You Were There!" when the dreaming character awakens.
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