Joel Edgerton stars as a simple logger in one of the year’s most celebrated films, a moving story about an ordinary man navigating love, loss, and a world transforming around him. Directed by Clint Bentley, the movie is an adaptation of Denis Johnson’s beloved novella and has been praised as a masterpiece of modern cinema. The film is now streaming on Netflix, bringing its poignant story to a global audience.
What Makes Train Dreams Special
“Train Dreams” tells the life story of Robert Grainier, a man whose existence would never make history books but was filled with deep personal meaning. Set in the early 20th century Pacific Northwest, the film follows Robert from his youth as an orphan through his adulthood working as a lumberjack and railroad laborer. He experiences profound love with his wife Gladys, played by Felicity Jones, and devastating loss that shapes the rest of his days.
The film has earned widespread critical acclaim, with a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and universal praise for its beautiful storytelling and Edgerton’s powerful, understated performance. Critics are calling it one of the best films of 2025, noting its ability to find extraordinary meaning in an ordinary life.
A Story of Simple Beauty and Profound Loss
The narrative unfolds like a dream, moving through key moments in Robert’s life with poetic grace. We see him fall in love with the spirited Gladys after meeting her outside a church. Their courtship is depicted with tender simplicity, including a memorable scene where they use rocks to map out their future home by a riverside. They build that cabin together and have a daughter, creating an idyllic family life that Robert must often leave for long logging jobs.
Tragedy strikes when Robert’s home burns to the ground, an event that becomes the defining moment of his life. The fate of his wife and daughter remains unresolved, leaving Robert to carry this unanswered question through the decades. The film explores how he processes this loss and finds ways to continue living, often feeling that “sometimes it feels like the sadness will eat me alive” while other times “it feels like it happened to someone else.”
Standout Performances Bring Depth to the Story
Joel Edgerton delivers what many critics are calling the best work of his career. He portrays Robert with quiet intensity, using subtle expressions and body language to convey deep emotion where words are few. His performance has earned several awards, including acting honors from the Deauville American Film Festival, Middleburg Film Festival, and Mill Valley Film Festival.
Felicity Jones brings strength and warmth to her role as Gladys, a self-sufficient woman ahead of her time who builds fish traps and handles a hunting rifle with skill. William H. Macy appears as Arn, an explosives expert and philosopher whose observations about life and the universe leave a lasting impression on Robert. Despite limited screen time, Macy creates a memorable character that adds significant depth to the story.
Visual Poetry and Thematic Richness
The film’s visual language is equally powerful, with cinematographer Adolpho Veloso creating stunning images of the American wilderness. The camera lingers on ancient trees, golden sunrises, and the rough textures of logging life. One recurring image shows work boots nailed to a tree where a man died, eventually becoming overgrown with moss—a powerful symbol of how time erases individual lives while nature endures.
The film explores weighty themes with a light touch, particularly the tension between human progress and natural preservation. As Robert and his coworkers cut down 500-year-old trees to make way for railroads, one character observes that “the world is intricately stitched together” and that “every thread we pull, we know not how it affects the design of things.” The film also touches on America’s complex history, including a haunting scene where Robert witnesses the brutal murder of a Chinese immigrant worker, an act of violence he never forgets.
From Page to Screen
“Train Dreams” adapts Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella, which was first published in The Paris Review in 2002 before being released as a stand-alone book. Director Clint Bentley co-wrote the screenplay with Greg Kwedar, the same team behind the acclaimed film “Sing Sing.” The adaptation maintains the lyrical quality of Johnson’s writing while expanding the visual poetry of the story.
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, where it quickly became one of the festival’s most talked-about titles. Netflix acquired distribution rights shortly after, releasing it in select theaters on November 7, 2025, before its streaming debut on November 21, 2025.
Critical Reception and Awards Buzz
The film has generated significant awards season attention, receiving nominations for Best Feature and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards. It also earned nominations at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor for Joel Edgerton.
Critics have universally praised the film’s emotional depth and artistic achievement. One review noted that “Edgerton does Oscar-worthy work here. Understated. Raw. Deep. Delicate. Strong. And in many ways, unforgettable.” Another called it “a gorgeous meditation on America, ably shouldered by one of Joel Edgerton’s very best performances.”
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Where to Watch
“Train Dreams” is now available to stream globally on Netflix. The film runs for 102 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating for some violence and sexuality. For viewers who want to fully appreciate its visual beauty, many critics recommend watching on the largest screen possible rather than a mobile device.
The film represents a significant achievement for director Clint Bentley, following his well-received 2021 film “Jockey.” With “Train Dreams,” Bentley establishes himself as a distinctive voice in American cinema, capable of telling intimate stories with epic emotional resonance.
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