People collectively start having dreams about Nick Cage’s character one day. Soon he becomes an internet start, but this fame soon becomes notoriety because his dreams become nightmares to people. He didn’t do any terrible thing in reality (well, other than being human and vain), and it is natural that he feels frustrated by this experience.

The movie is a big metaphor on modern internet world where someone suddenly goes viral because it appeal to the mass. The “why” is not important. What matters is how people want to monetize and exploit this hype. Given that dream is a private space, this is more of a heightened version of what happens in reality.