Psychic Alex Garner (Quaid) is recommended by his friend Dr. Novotny (Von Sydow) to participate in a government experiment that enables dream experiences to be psychically shared.

That is to say, Alex can join in someone's nightmare, via an electrical link, and actually manipulate the person's dream. To presumably, a positive effect.

But what happens if it's used for evil? And what happens if big business uses it for even broader political or economic gains?

Worthy predecessor to Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), this features a helluva cast, frightening dream sequences, and clever mid-budget effects.

Perhaps a bit dated by the 1980s political subplot, but thoroughly entertaining film is worth a second look.

Nice main title theme by Maurice Jarre.