I haven't even put my glasses on yet
It is that urgent for me to tell you about this dream I just had
It was a movie. I was watching it with my bestie at first. I even pointed out someone in the cast. But then I was just sort of observing the events of the movie itself.
Stylistically, it looked like it was maybe made in the 80s or 90s. The main character was played by Peter Cushing. By his appearance, he was definitely pre-Star wars, but I think post-Dracula. Holmes era maybe.
It wasn’t like any Peter Cushing role I’ve ever seen him in. I can’t say for certain what his deal was. He might have been an alien, a cryptid-type guy, a clone, maybe, based on one of the scenes, but the thing was, he didn’t know either. And just overall, I sweet, nice guy? Which, if anyone has seen Peter Cushing playing a sweetheart, let me know, because after this dream, I plan to take a swan dive into his filmography one way or the other.
So Peter Cushing doesn’t know who he is or what he’s doing, and there’s an ambiguously supernatural or possibly sci-fi vibe going around, with a touch of film noir. Peter Cushing wears a trench coat and a hat most of the time. And at some point, he comes into contact with a group of scientists who are determined to figure out what the deal is with him. One of them was played by David Bowie. (Note: in the dream, as in I said this out loud, I thought one of the scientists was played by a young Dan Akroyd but - again, in the dream - I realized he wasn’t.) The scientists are really nice to him, at first. Peter Cushing keeps having health problems, collapsing in pain without warning. I think that’s how they found him, then when they took a look at him they were like “!!!!” Anyhow, you get this vibe that their intentions may be less than noble, until it’s revealed that, yeah, they’re the bad guys. (David Bowie, nooooooooo!!!)
Now the movie had a secondary protagonist in the form of a young man who, along with his friends, were medical students or young doctors or young scientists right out of school. They cross paths with Peter Cushing and are determined to help him. He thanks them for caring but goes with the older scientists, thinking they more reliable experts. But the young men are determined. The leader of them has dreamed of finding someone like Peter Cushing all his life and doesn’t give up. And when the older scientists reveal their true intentions, the implication was that the younger scientists will step in and help.
Then there was this cool, creepy scene where Peter Cushing is walking down the street at night in the fog in his trench coat and hat and he crosses the street, only to be met by his exact duplicate. Dressed the same, looks the same, but is ridiculously creepy. And he clearly wants Peter Cushing Prime out of the way. Peter Cushing Prime pulls out this weird wand looking thing. It was a thin rod a little thicker than a pencil, but then it had the cylindrical attachment, about an inch wide and an inch and a half long on one end. I don’t know what this thing was but he tried to defend himself with it, only GASP! Peter Cushing Doppelganger has one too! And his is more powerful. Or he knows better how to use it. This scene is what made me think maybe he’s a clone? Or maybe the doppelganger is the clone and Peter Cushing Prime was the result of some kind of experiment but doesn’t remember?
Tbh I REALLY wish I hadn’t just dreamed this up. I’d watch this movie in a second. It’s creepy, it had good atmosphere with a pinch of a supernatural edge. Peter Cushing and David Bowie in a movie together holy crap. Peter Cushing’s budding friendship with the main young scientist. The worry the young guy has for Peter Cushing’s character in this was the type of stuff I cannot get enough of.
Anyway if anyone has any Peter Cushing recommendations, let me know cuz I’m headed to Netflix.