Train Dreams (film)

Last updated

Train Dreams
Train Dreams poster.jpeg
Release poster
Directed byClint Bentley
Screenplay by
Based on Train Dreams
by Denis Johnson
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAdolpho Veloso
Edited byParker Laramie
Music by Bryce Dessner
Production
companies
Distributed by Netflix
Release dates
  • January 26, 2025 (2025-01-26)(Sundance)
  • November 7, 2025 (2025-11-07)(United States)
Running time
102 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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 of the same name by Denis Johnson. The film stars Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon and William H. Macy.

Contents

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. [2]

Cast

Production

In February 2024, the film was reported to be produced by Black Bear as an adaptation of the Denis Johnson 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. [3] In May 2024, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy and Clifton Collins Jr. joined the cast. [4]

Principal photography started in Washington in April 2024, with filming locations including Spokane, Metaline Falls, and Colville. [5] [6]

Release

Train Dreams premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025. [7] [8] Shortly after, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film. [9] 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. [10] [11]

It competed in Stockholm Competition of the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on November 8, 2025. [12]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 98% of 54 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." [13] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 87 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

Accolades

AwardYearCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
Camerimage November 22, 2025 Actor's Award Joel Edgerton Won [14]
Chicago International Film Festival October 19, 2025 Artistic Achievement AwardJoel Edgerton & Clint BentleyWon [15]
Deauville American Film Festival September 11, 2025Talent AwardJoel EdgertonWon [16]
Gotham Film Awards December 1, 2025 Best Feature Michael Heimler, Will Janowitz, Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlaifer and Teddy Schwarzman Pending [17]
Best Adapted Screenplay Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar Pending
Middleburg Film Festival October 19, 2025Outstanding Achievement in Acting AwardJoel EdgertonWon [18]
Mill Valley Film Festival October 7, 2025Spotlight AwardWon [19] [20]
Savannah Film Festival November 1, 2025Vanguard AwardWon [21]

References

  1. ↑ "Train Dreams (12A)". BBFC . October 28, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  2. ↑ Kay, Jeremy (February 7, 2024). "Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones to star in 'Train Dreams'; Black Bear launching at EFM". Screen Daily. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  3. ↑ Grobar, Matt (February 7, 2024). "Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones To Star In 'Jockey' Helmer Clint Bentley's 'Train Dreams'; Black Bear Introducing To Buyers At EFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  4. ↑ Ritman, Alex (May 2, 2024). "Kerry Condon, William H. Macy, Clifton Collins Jr. Join Black Bear's Denis Johnson Adaptation 'Train Dreams' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  5. ↑ Lopez, Kristen (February 7, 2024). "Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones to Star in Adaptation of Denis Johnson's 'Train Dreams'". TheWrap . Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Major motion picture 'Train Dreams' is filming in Spokane, to star Joel Edgerton and Oscar nominee Felicity Jones". Spokesman. May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  7. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2024). "Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  8. ↑ Ellwood, Gregory (January 17, 2025). "25 Most Anticipated Sundance Film Festival 2025 Premieres". The Playlist.net. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  9. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (January 30, 2025). "Netflix Buys Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones Sundance Drama 'Train Dreams'". Variety . Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  10. ↑ Hammond, Pete (June 25, 2025). "Netflix Sets Prime Oscar Season Release Date For Sundance Acquisition 'Train Dreams' With Joel Edgerton And Felicity Jones". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  11. ↑ Garner, Glenn (July 24, 2025). "'Train Dreams' Teaser Trailer: Joel Edgerton Rides The Rails In 'Sing Sing' Team's American Epic". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Train Dreams". Stockholm International Film Festival . October 9, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Train Dreams". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved September 13, 2025. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  14. ↑ "EnergaCAMERIMAGE Award for an Actor". camerimage.pl. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Tributes". Cinema Chicago. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  16. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (September 12, 2025). "Joel Edgerton Says 'I Never Thought of Myself as Talented' While Accepting Deauville Talent Award: I'm 'One of the Lucky Ones'". Variety . Archived from the original on September 19, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  17. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (October 28, 2025). "Gotham Film Awards Nominations: 'One Battle After Another' Leads With a Record Six Nods". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  18. ↑ Tangcay, Jazz (October 2, 2025). "'Rental Family' Named as Middleburg Film Festival's Closing Night Film". Variety . Archived from the original on October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  19. ↑ Behan, Beau (October 2, 2025). "Mill Valley Film Festival Launches 48th Edition With Star Power, Global Cinema And Local Voices". Patch . Archived from the original on October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  20. ↑ Johnson, G. Allen (September 24, 2025). "How to navigate the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival". San Francisco Chronicle . Archived from the original on September 25, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  21. ↑ Feinberg, Scott (October 1, 2025). "SCAD Savannah Film Fest: Mark Hamill, Tessa Thompson and Oscar Isaac Among 10 Set for Honors". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
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