The Dreamers (2003) follows Matthew, an American exchange student who arrives in Paris during the turbulent atmosphere of 1968. Shy, observant, and passionate about cinema, he spends much of his time at the Cinémathèque Française, where he soon meets the enigmatic siblings Isabelle and Théo. Drawn to their charm, intelligence, and unconventional energy, Matthew quickly becomes part of their tightly knit world. When their parents leave Paris, the siblings invite him to stay with them in their luxurious but fading apartment, where the boundaries between friendship, desire, and rebellion begin to blur.

Inside the apartment, the trio creates an isolated universe built on film references, philosophical debates, and provocative games. Matthew becomes increasingly fascinated by Isabelle’s mysterious beauty and Théo’s intense political convictions. Their days slip into a hypnotic routine of watching films, discussing art, and playing escalating challenges that often push emotional and physical limits. The apartment becomes a symbolic shelter, a place where time seems suspended and the revolution outside feels distant—until reality begins to intrude in unexpected ways.

As Matthew grows closer to the siblings, he starts to notice the peculiar intimacy between Isabelle and Théo. Their bond is unusually intense, shaped by childhood habits and a deep emotional reliance on each other. Confused and tempted, Matthew struggles with his attraction to Isabelle while also seeking to understand the complicated relationship the siblings share. He hopes to guide them toward independence and emotional clarity, yet he is also seduced by the strange freedom they represent.

Outside their walls, the political unrest in Paris escalates, clashes erupt in the streets, and students take over the universities. Théo is especially drawn to the revolution, passionately believing in the possibility of societal transformation. However, the siblings remain physically confined within the apartment, almost in denial of the world’s turmoil. Matthew repeatedly warns them that life cannot remain suspended forever, but they resist confronting reality.

When the parents unexpectedly return home early, the fragile world the trio built begins to fracture. A heated argument erupts between Matthew and Théo over their moral responsibilities and political ideals. As tensions rise, the protests outside grow violent, and a thrown stone shatters the apartment window, forcing the siblings to finally face the real world beyond their fantasies.

In the final moments, Isabelle and Théo rush into the streets to join the revolution, while Matthew steps back, realizing that their paths have diverged. The film ends with the city in chaos and Matthew walking away, carrying with him both the beauty and the painful intensity of the world he briefly inhabited.