Paprika

Ok let me get a couple of my thoughts out before I go to sleep I think that the movie uses dreams represents unprocessed trauma (like in Carl Jung’s theories), and this device was created for therapists (paprika) to use to help people work through the trauma. Movies/internet/dreams are a medium used to either think critically and processes the trauma or an escapism. That’s why the one evil guy HATED movies: he didn’t want to analyze his dreams/art he’s consuming. Those unwilling to confront their trauma are easily manipulated into dreamy escapism. The really evil ideology wasn’t to merge the dreams (which I have to add is a homestuck plot point 😈), but the need to control the external. As paprika helps characters accept harsh realities, the professor-x guy desires control over it. In order to defeat the villain, you have to accept that you’re body may not work the way you want it to (being in a wheelchair), other’s might not have an attractive body (scientist), and the regretful path you might have taken (cop). The opposite of acceptance is control.