Levels of Dream

The levels of dreams are designed by The Architect, who creates layouts, mazes etc. to give architectural structure to the dream. The dream is then populated by a person’s subconscious i.e. the dreamer. Whoever connected to the “dream machine” will share the same dream space as the dreamer. A host, usually the dreamer, is chosen to stay behind to keep the team (and dream) alive when they go into a deeper dream level.

In the audition part (the prologue sequence directly after the opening sequence showing Cobb meeting Old Saito), there are TWO levels of dream, and reality.

ð “Train level” (reality)

ð “Riot level” (dream)

o Host – Nash

o Dreamer - Nash

ð “Villa level” (dream)

o Host – none

o Dreamer – Cobb

In the heist part (the inception sequence in the second half of the film), there are FOUR levels of dream, a limbo level, and reality.

ð “Airplane level” (reality)

ð “Van level” (dream)

o Host – Yusuf

o Dreamer – Yusuf

ð “Hotel level” (dream)

o Host – Arthur

o Dreamer – Arthur

ð “Snow level” (dream)

o Host – Eames

o Dreamer – Eames

ð “Building level” (dream)

o Host – none

o Dreamer - Cobb

ð Limbo (dream)