Train Dreams Kept Reminding Me Of A Classic Movie. Turns Out It Wasn’t A Coincidence

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Sometimes a movie truly stands out. That happened to me recently when I watched Train Dreams after hearing about the new film coming to Netflix in 2025. Directed with skill by Clint Bentley, this thoughtful and sad story about a logger (Joel Edgerton) dealing with both the harshness of nature and personal loss, connected with me more than most films this year, and for many different reasons.

I was completely absorbed in the film’s sweeping story, beautiful visuals, and fantastic narration – Will Patton is truly exceptional. But throughout, I couldn’t help but notice strong similarities to a classic Russian film. As it turns out, that wasn’t a random connection…

While Watching Train Dreams, I Kept Thinking About Andrei Tarkovsky’s Andrei Rublev

Reading Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams brought Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1966 film Andrei Rublev to mind. Like the film – a three-hour epic about a 15th-century icon painter struggling through a difficult landscape and society – Train Dreams is a raw and moving story about art, finding meaning, and the strength it takes to overcome decades of hardship and deep sadness.

It Turns Out The 1966 Russian Epic Heavily Influenced Clint Bentley’s Film

I was deeply moved by the film Train Dreams and its portrayal of loss and grief, so I started searching for interviews with the director, Clint Bentley, to learn more about his inspiration. I quickly found an interview with Filmmaker Magazine where he discussed the influence of Andrei Tarkovsky, particularly his film Andrei Rublev.

I created a list of my inspirations, and the cinematographer, Adolpho Veloso, prepared his own presentation. When we shared them, we quickly realized we both admired Tarkovsky. His approach to depicting time was a major influence on me. Watching ‘Andrei Rublev’ feels like seeing a genuine historical record, not just a movie set in the past or a staged performance.

This idea of a story capturing a specific moment in time also fits perfectly with Train Dreams. The novel feels less like a historical recreation and more like a journey back to a pivotal era in American history—a deeply moving and authentic experience.

I later discovered an article on Letterboxd detailing the films that most inspired Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams. Interestingly, Andrei Rublev was cited as a major influence. The director explained its impact, saying:

Tarkovsky makes the past feel incredibly real, capturing both its beauty and its unsettling nature. It’s as if you could actually enter the world of his films. I was deeply moved when I first saw the scene with the bells – it was a truly unforgettable movie moment.

After seeing Train Dreams, Bentley’s description of the film as containing “terror, beauty, and strangeness” really resonated. His movie has a dreamlike feel, similar to what you find in Andrei Rublev. If you’re not familiar with the famous bell-making scene he mentioned, it’s a must-see – it’s clearly inspired countless films, including There Will Be Blood and The Brutalist, among others.

You can currently watch Train Dreams on Netflix. If you’re interested in seeing Andrei Rublev and have three hours to spare, it’s available on the Criterion Channel.

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2025-12-04 15:11