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Train Dreams
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02:21
Train Dreams
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- 2025
- Clint Bentley
- 101 mins
- 12A
Summary
Period drama starring Joel Edgerton. Born towards the end of the 19th century, orphan Robert Grainier spends eight decades living and working as a logger and railroad labourer across the USA's north west. Over the years, he witnesses progress, destruction, beauty and violence, and he experiences both love and unspeakable loss.
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Review
A star rating of 4 out of 5.
Tom Dawson
Adapted from Denis Johnson's novella and channelling the cinematic spirit of Terrence Malick, this meditative drama spans some eight decades (1890-1968) of American history in the verdant Pacific Northwest. It tells the story of Idaho-born Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), who having been orphaned as a child, grows up to become an itinerant logger, working for the railroad companies. The nature of this gruelling and dangerous work means he often has to leave behind his beloved wife (Felicity Jones) and infant daughter in their remote cabin, and during one of his absences a tragedy strikes. Accompanied by Will Patton's wry narration and some wonderful cinematography, writer/director Clint Bentley (Jockey) immerses us in Grainier's subjective experiences. A stoical and taciturn figure, who's haunted by premonitions and dreams, he's played with moving restraint by an impressive Edgerton, and there's a wonderful cameo from William H Macy as a garrulous explosives expert. Set in an era of world-changing technological advances and environmental plunder, this speaks intelligently to our own tempestuous times.
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7.5/10
How to watch
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Streaming
Credits
Crew
rolenameDirectorClint Bentley
Details
Theatrical distributor
Netflix
Released on
2025-11-07
Languages
English
Guidance
Violence, swearing, a sex scene
Formats
Colour
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