Dream Scenario: Is Paul Matthews a Modern-Day Jungian Archetype?

Okay, so I just saw Dream Scenario, and I'm still processing. The premise alone – Nicolas Cage showing up in everyone's dreams – is already wildly fascinating. But the way the movie explores the anxieties around virality, cancel culture, and just…being perceived…that's what really got me thinking. My theory is, Paul Matthews isn't just some random guy; he's a manifestation of Carl Jung's idea of the 'shadow' archetype for the collective unconscious. Think about it: he initially appears passive, almost mundane, in people's dreams. He's just there. But as the dreams turn violent, so does the perception of him. This mirroring of his dream-self to his real-world persona, and the world's reaction to those dreams, feels very much like the projection and confrontation of the collective shadow. Specifically, the scene where he tries to give the lecture but keeps getting interrupted by protesters shouting "dream rapist!" – that hit HARD. It illustrates how easily a perceived transgression, even one originating in the subconscious, can completely obliterate someone's life. And the fact that he then tries to lean INTO being the 'nightmare' version of himself? That's just him playing the role the collective has assigned him. It's a desperate, and ultimately destructive, attempt to control a narrative he never asked for. I'm not sure if the director intended this Jungian reading, but it's what the film sparked in my brain. Anyone else have similar thoughts? Or am I just overthinking it? Also, Nicolas Cage deserves ALL the awards for this movie. Seriously. The way he embodies that pathetic-yet-somehow-infuriating dad energy is just chef's kiss.