Dreams for the most part should be ignored. A mixed bunch of dreams even if they occur regularly are most likely to be the product of the mind during sleep. By a mixed bunch I mean dreams that are disjointed, random in nature, dreams that are a mix of different elements and involve the imagination and material as you say that perhaps have been seen in films even if the subject of the dream is the same these dreams are random dreams and should be ignored.
Im with you here, the watching of a tv show on fires and dreaming of fire kind of thing. or a good dream of a vacation show. Some dreams which I think Freud mentioned (not expert just remember this part) but when you dream of events of the day and they are all mixed up with you driving your car and your in the hall at work and in the office your having the pizza you had at home for dinner… He was suggesting it was you mind reorganizing things.
Dreams that are repeated and have a very set pattern and not necessarily the very same dream in the very same sequence, but the theme of the dream repeats itself in the same way over and over again and also within a reasonable space of time. Someone might have a dream about falling downstairs and have this dream regularly over their lives but they do not have it every night or every other night, this is a dream not to pay any attention to. However a dream that is repeated often and is of the sameness should be discerned.
You are making me think of what I do experience. I think its sorta what you say, but not, if that makes any sense. And its hard to think of because I dont want to really remember details.
I would say the catalyst varies, horror movies, stalker movies, (even Jurassic park) books, even a science show on the occult, ufos, too much discussion on the topic, and sometimes I cant even identify it, then the dream starts and follows the same pattern with slight variations.
What happens exactly is hard to remember, any of the following; despair, oppression, pursuit, hopelessness generally being possibly in situations of the movie only when its a movie, lost and alone, waking quite disturbed, sweaty, and feeling tired and weak. So perhaps you can appreciate why me and possibly the others are happy not to dream at all.
Also, why I said to the op not to worry if you dont have good dreams and they are blank.
I wouldnt follow after these dreams as you say, rather would wish to avoid them. But with prayer as has been said that can be possible. and when I forget, they come back after a bit. The wolf is relentless. I figure its a “side effect” of some sort. Honestly this is about the most Ive spoken about it to anyone, including speaking to the person who originally told me how to pray about them.
! Coincidence???