The film follows Will Atenton (Daniel Craig), a successful publisher, who quits his job in New York City to spend more time with his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz), and their two young daughters in a peaceful suburban town. The family moves into their dream house, but soon after settling in, they begin to experience strange occurrences.
As Will investigates the history of their new home, he discovers that the previous occupants, a mother and her two children, were brutally murdered. The prime suspect was the father, Peter Ward, who survived the attack but was deemed insane and sent to a psychiatric institution.
Will becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about the murders and Peter Ward. He is warned by his neighbor, Ann Patterson (Naomi Watts), to stay away from the Ward family’s tragedy. As Will delves deeper into the mystery, he starts to question his own sanity and reality.
The climax of the film reveals a shocking twist: Will is actually Peter Ward, suffering from a severe dissociative identity disorder. The idyllic life he believed he was living with his family was a construct of his mind. In reality, his wife and children were murdered by him, driven by a psychotic break.
The film concludes with Will/Peter attempting to reconcile with Ann, who had been his therapist at the psychiatric institution. The truth about his past is laid bare, leaving Will/Peter to grapple with the consequences of his actions and the devastating impact on those around him.
“Dream House” received negative reviews from both critics and audiences, with criticism directed at the marketing campaign, which revealed the film’s major twist. The film’s execution and the handling of its psychological elements were also widely criticized.