Train Dreams

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Train Dreams

PG-13

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1h 42m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

95%

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176 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Based on the beloved novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Golden Globe-nominee Joel Edgerton), whose life unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America. Orphaned at a young age, Robert grows into adulthood among the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest, where he helps expand the nation's railroad empire alongside men as unforgettable as the landscapes they inhabit. After a tender courtship, he marries Gladys (Academy Award-nominee Felicity Jones) and they build a home together, though his work often takes him far from her and their young daughter. When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled.

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Bentley renders Idaho and this way of life around the turn of the 20th century in such a mystical and mysterious way, it almost seems like science fiction.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 26, 2025

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Rebecca Onion

Slate

Beautiful, moving, and thoughtful.

Nov 24, 2025

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

Joel Edgerton brings a quiet soulfulness to "Train Dreams" that perfectly complements director Clint Bentley's meditative portrait of an unassuming logger making his way through early 20th century America, and beyond.

Rated: B

Nov 24, 2025

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Anne Brodie

What She Said

this pastoral, spiritual and utterly human work of art will sit with you a long time.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 28, 2025

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Luke Y. Thompson

Mortal Cinema (Substack)

Train Dreams washes over you, the way a slow-paced life can do, if you can let it. If not, well, you can still enjoy the pretty trees for a bit.

Nov 26, 2025

Full Review

Stephen Porzio

joe.ie

The movie’s lyrical direction and writing, its screenplay’s epic scope... and its soulful performances all combine to create this highly emotional meditation on the relationship between work and family, humans and the land, and humans and time.

Nov 26, 2025

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Melissa

Visually beautiful, perfect performances, epic timeless story

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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Mr. New movies bore me

An absolutely amazing movie! This man, Robert Grainer is a clear example of what Love, Compassion, Perseverance should be! He represents every working man that has walked this earth! Amazing movie, and thats coming from someone who doesnt watch anything nowdays because nothing is as real as these type of films!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/25

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asq

Best film of 2025 and I see a lot of films

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/25

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Jeff

Incredibly beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

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Terry S

Incredibly saccharine & formulaic.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

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Anita M

Liked that there wasn’t too much violence. It is very sad though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/16/25

Full Review

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Clint Bentley

Director

Joel Edgerton

Robert Grainier

Clifton Collins Jr.

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Felicity Jones

Gladys Grainier

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Train Dreams: Trailer 1

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Train Dreams: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

Based on the beloved novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Golden Globe-nominee Joel Edgerton), whose life unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America. Orphaned at a young age, Robert grows into adulthood among the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest, where he helps expand the nation's railroad empire alongside men as unforgettable as the landscapes they inhabit. After a tender courtship, he marries Gladys (Academy Award-nominee Felicity Jones) and they build a home together, though his work often takes him far from her and their young daughter. When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled.

Director: Clint Bentley
Producer: Michael Heimler, Will Janowitz, Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlaifer, Teddy Schwarzman
Screenwriter: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Black Bear, Kamala Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence and Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2025
Runtime: 1h 42m

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