Daniel Craig may have hung up his tuxedo, but his post-Bond glow isn't fading anytime soon. This week, his 2011 psychological thriller Dream House has quietly become one of HBO Max's most-watched titles, landing at No. 9 on the streamer's Top 10 movies over the weekend—just behind The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1. For a film that was largely dismissed by critics upon release, it's a surprising and satisfying redemption arc.
Directed by Jim Sheridan, Dream House stars Craig as Will Atenton, a successful New York City book editor who walks away from his job to write a novel and spend more time with his wife, Libby (played by Craig's real-life spouse Rachel Weisz), and their two young daughters in their idyllic new home. The dream quickly curdles into a nightmare when Will discovers his family has been murdered—and that his seemingly perfect life may be a delusion he's constructed to cope with unimaginable grief.
The film also features Naomi Watts, Marton Csokas, Elias Koteas, and Jane Alexander. When it hit theaters on September 30, 2011—a year before Craig's Bond franchise high point, Skyfall—it was met with a wave of negative reviews. But streaming audiences have a way of rewriting history, especially for moody, twist-heavy thrillers that reward a second look. If you're in the mood for more underrated suspense, check out ten thrillers that never let up or dive into the best psychological thriller books for your next read.
Why Dream House Is Connecting Now
Part of the renewed interest likely stems from nostalgia for Craig's pre-Bond and mid-Bond era, when he was taking risky roles between 007 outings. His casting as James Bond was famously controversial—some fans balked at his blond hair and stature, arguing he didn't match the taller, dark-haired image of his predecessors. Boycotts were threatened. Then Casino Royale arrived in 2006 and silenced the doubters with a staggering box office haul, launching a five-film run that ended with 2021's No Time to Die.
With the search for the next Bond still unresolved half a decade later, fans are revisiting the actors who defined the role. Craig's filmography outside the franchise has become a binge-worthy rabbit hole, and Dream House—flawed as it may be—offers a fascinating glimpse of a movie star stretching into darker, more vulnerable territory. It also pairs him onscreen with Weisz, adding an extra layer of intrigue for viewers who enjoy real-life chemistry bleeding into fiction.
The Next James Bond: Still a Mystery
Speaking of 007, the franchise's future remains a tantalizing blank. Final screen tests for the iconic role were reportedly expected to take place in London in late October, with four actors in contention: Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor, Jack Lowden, and an unnamed fourth candidate. The tests were initially planned for earlier in the month but were pushed back due to scheduling conflicts among the finalists.
Amazon MGM Studios is targeting a 2028 theatrical release for the next Bond film, with production expected to begin next year. Denis Villeneuve is set to direct from a script by Steven Knight. Producers include David Heyman and Amy Pascal, with Nina Gold overseeing casting. Until that mystery is solved, streaming hits like Dream House will keep Craig's name in the conversation—and remind audiences that even a misfire can become a must-watch years later.
Dream House is now streaming on HBO Max.
