Train Dreams (film)
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Prepare yourself for a cinematic journey unlike any other. From the visionary mind of Clint Bentley, co-writer of the screenplay with Greg Kwedar, based on Denis Johnson's acclaimed 2011 novella, comes **Train Dreams**. Starring the incredible talents of Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon, and the legendary William H. Macy, this American drama is set to captivate audiences.
**Train Dreams** first graced the world stage at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26th, before making its way to select cinemas across the United States on November 7th, 2025. And for those who prefer to experience cinema from the comfort of home, a global streaming debut on Netflix awaits on November 21st, 2025. The film has already garnered significant critical acclaim, with particular praise lavished upon Bentley's masterful direction and Joel Edgerton's unforgettable performance. Its accolades are already piling up, including nominations for Best Feature and Best Adapted Screenplay at the prestigious 2025 Gotham Film Awards.
Step into the premise: Logger Robert Grainier, portrayed by Edgerton, dedicates himself to the monumental task of developing the railroad network across the vast expanse of the United States. This demanding work pulls him away from his wife, played by Jones, and their daughter, leaving him to grapple with his evolving role in a world undergoing profound change.
The remarkable cast includes Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier, Felicity Jones as Gladys Grainier, Clifton Collins Jr. as Boomer, Kerry Condon as Claire Thompson, a dedicated forestry services worker, and William H. Macy as Arn Peeples, an expert in explosives. You'll also see Chuck Tucker as the Silent Man, Rob Price as a Curious Logger, Paul Schneider as the talkative logger Apostle Frank, John Diehl as the seasoned old logger Billy, Alfred Hsing as Fu Sheng, Nathaniel Arcand as Ignatius Jack, a storekeeper and Robert's trusted friend, Johnny Arnoux as Kootenai Indian, and the iconic Will Patton lending his voice as the narrator.
The production of this ambitious film began in February 2024, with Black Bear taking the helm to adapt Denis Johnson's beloved novella. Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar brought their vision to life, with Bentley at the directorial helm and starring Felicity Jones and Joel Edgerton. Producers Marissa McMahon and Ashley Schlaifer for Kamala Films, alongside Will Janowitz, Teddy Schwarzman, and Michael Heimler for Black Bear, have guided this project with expertise. In May 2024, the stellar cast was further enhanced with the addition of Kerry Condon, William H. Macy, and Clifton Collins Jr. Principal photography commenced in Washington in April 2024, with filming locations spanning the picturesque landscapes of Snoqualmie, Spokane, Metaline Falls, and Colville.
The release of **Train Dreams** was a momentous occasion, beginning with its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26th. Soon after, Netflix secured the distribution rights, ensuring its widespread availability. The film made its mark in select theaters across the United States on November 7th, 2025, before embarking on its global streaming journey on Netflix on November 21st. It also competed in the prestigious Stockholm Competition at the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on November 8th, 2025.
The reception has been nothing short of extraordinary. On Rotten Tomatoes, a staggering 95% of 150 critics' reviews are positive, with the consensus declaring: "A gorgeous meditation on America, ably shouldered by one of Joel Edgerton's very best performances, Train Dreams takes on mythic proportions while maintaining an intimate emotional delicacy." Metacritic echoes this sentiment, awarding the film a remarkable score of 88 out of 100, based on the insights of 39 critics, signifying "universal acclaim."
Prepare to be moved. Prepare to be inspired. Prepare for **Train Dreams**.
Train Dreams is a 2025 American drama film directed by Clint Bentley, who co-wrote the screenplay with Greg Kwedar, based on the 2011 novella by Denis Johnson. The film stars Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon and William H. Macy.
Train Dreams had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, and was released in select cinemas in the United States on November 7, 2025, before its streaming debut by Netflix on November 21, 2025. The film received critical acclaim, with praise going to Bentley's direction and Edgerton's performance. Among its accolades, the film received nominations for Best Feature and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards.
== Premise ==
Logger Robert Grainier (Edgerton) works to develop the railroad across the United States causing him to spend vast times away from his wife (Jones) and daughter, and is struggling with his place in a changing world.
== Cast ==
Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier
Felicity Jones as Gladys Grainier
Clifton Collins Jr. as Boomer
Kerry Condon as Claire Thompson, a forestry services worker
William H. Macy as Arn Peeples, an explosives expert
Chuck Tucker as Silent Man
Rob Price as Curious Logger
Paul Schneider as Apostle Frank, a talkative logger
John Diehl as Billy, an old logger
Alfred Hsing as Fu Sheng
Nathaniel Arcand as Ignatius Jack, a storekeeper and Robert's friend
Johnny Arnoux as Kootenai Indian
Will Patton as the narrator
== Production ==
In February 2024, the film was reported to be produced by Black Bear as an adaptation of Denis Johnson's 2011 novella Train Dreams by Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, and directed by Clint Bentley and starring Felicity Jones and Joel Edgerton. Producers include Marissa McMahon and Ashley Schlaifer for Kamala Films, and Will Janowitz, and Teddy Schwarzman and Michael Heimler for Black Bear. In May 2024, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy and Clifton Collins Jr. joined the cast.
Principal photography started in Washington in April 2024, with filming locations including Snoqualmie, Spokane, Metaline Falls, and Colville.
== Release ==
Train Dreams premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025. Shortly after, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film. The film was released in select theaters in the United States on November 7, 2025, before being made available for streaming on Netflix globally on November 21.
It competed in Stockholm Competition of the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on November 8, 2025.
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 95% of 150 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "A gorgeous meditation on America, ably shouldered by one of Joel Edgerton's very best performances, Train Dreams takes on mythic proportions while maintaining an intimate emotional delicacy." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 88 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
=== Accolades ===
== References ==
== External links ==
Train Dreams at IMDb
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