Josh O’Connor, ever fascinating, continues to roam a lonesome range in ‘Rebuilding’

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As a lifelong moviegoer, I’m always drawn to stories about loss and resilience, and “Rebuilding” really hit that spot. The film opens with Dusty, a man who’s already been through a lot – a broken marriage, the death of his parents – but then he faces something even more devastating: a wildfire destroys his family’s ranch, the place that truly felt like home. It’s not just a loss of property, it’s like losing a part of himself. He physically survived, but emotionally, he feels completely lost, like a ghost haunting the remains of his past.

Josh O’Connor, who often plays quiet, introspective characters, portrays Dusty. Known for roles in films like “La Chimera” and “The Mastermind,” O’Connor brings a subtle, gentle masculinity to the part. Whether it’s due to a recent loss, Dusty speaks softly and appears lost as he tries to rebuild his life, putting on a brave face despite his inner turmoil.

Max Walker-Silverman’s second film, like his first, focuses on quiet, reserved characters. His 2022 debut, “A Love Song,” was a sad and gentle story about two old friends reconnecting and cautiously falling for each other. “Rebuilding” also explores sadness and lost possibilities, featuring ordinary people who don’t say much. The film has a simple, raw beauty, reminiscent of a short story or a song by John Prine – who actually contributes music to the soundtrack.

In “Rebuilding,” O’Connor intentionally keeps Dusty’s past and feelings hidden as he settles into a rundown trailer in a FEMA camp. He’s trying to create a comfortable space for his daughter, Callie-Rose (Lily LaTorre), though she mostly lives with his ex-wife, Ruby (Meghann Fahy), and Ruby’s boyfriend, Robbie (Sam Engbring). Dusty isn’t a neglectful father or bitter ex – everyone, even Ruby’s sick mother Bess (Amy Madigan), seems to like him. However, when Callie-Rose mentions Ruby’s comment that Dusty didn’t reach his potential in school, it rings true. The film doesn’t reveal much about Dusty’s life before the fire, but it gradually becomes apparent that he’s always struggled with a sense of inadequacy.

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We spoke with the creators of ‘Rebuilding’ about how the film portrays a rancher (Josh O’Connor) trying to rebuild his life and family’s ranch after a devastating fire.

What really struck me about Shea Whigham’s performance is how he conveys this deep, unspoken sadness. His character feels incredibly distant, even from people he cares about – he’s a genuinely good person, but just can’t seem to fully connect. You get the sense that he and Ruby had a sweet but ultimately doomed teenage romance, and you don’t even need a full explanation to understand why. He’s just…stuck. Like he’s sleepwalking through life, weighed down by something he can’t shake. His ranch was everything to him, his whole world. And then the wildfire… it’s devastating. All that’s left is his cowboy hat, a haunting reminder of everything he’s lost, the only life he ever knew.

I was really struck by how honestly “Rebuilding” portrays life after disaster. It doesn’t follow a typical story arc; instead, it simply shows Dusty trying to cope with a world he’s been running from. He cautiously starts building connections at the FEMA camp, and his friendship with Mila, played so realistically by Kali Reis, was particularly moving. What I loved most was that this group wasn’t about grand, inspiring speeches. It was just people helping each other get through it, because what else could they do? The director, Ben Walker-Silverman, brilliantly steps back and lets the actors shine – they all feel so incredibly authentic, it honestly feels like he filmed real wildfire survivors.

The movie feels very realistic, and that might be difficult for some viewers in Los Angeles who have personally experienced the pain of recovering from a natural disaster. When the film premiered at Sundance earlier this year, many Southern California attendees felt a strong sense of déjà vu, as the Eaton and Palisades fires were still burning and impacting local communities. The recent devastation was still fresh in everyone’s minds, and for many in our city, it hasn’t been long enough to emotionally distance themselves and fully appreciate the movie’s portrayal of someone adjusting to a drastically changed life.

Though the filmmaker couldn’t have foreseen how closely his movie would reflect real-world events, “Rebuilding” is as much about the people within the story as it is a cautionary tale about our vulnerable planet and the places we cherish. The film’s somber mood can feel a bit affected at times, but it also has a quiet beauty, particularly as the main character, Dusty, faces both personal and larger losses. A late plot twist feels somewhat forced, but it’s understandable that the filmmaker wanted to offer a glimmer of hope to those who’ve lost their connection to home. Ultimately, the film shows that when everything is taken away, all that remains is what you have left.

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2025-11-22 05:31