Train Dreams Review: Joel Edgerton’s New Netflix Drama Is 2025’s Most Heartbreaking Hidden Gem

by

Most movies don’t fully capture both the good and bad sides of life, and how those experiences are unique to each person. It’s unusual, then, to find a film like that released directly by Netflix, meaning it’s usually watched on smaller screens. Clint Bentley’s film feels like something that should be seen in a movie theater, where a shared experience can connect strangers through the story of Robert Grainier.

Joel Edgerton delivers a thoughtful performance as Robert, portraying his gentle spirit with remarkable depth. Set in the early 1900s, the story follows Robert, a quiet logger who doesn’t recall his parents, as he navigates a changing America and a growing sense of displacement. His life finds purpose when he meets Gladys (Felicity Jones) and they have a daughter. Though seemingly simple, Train Dreams is a powerful story about a man’s struggle with personal pain, and over the course of many years, it becomes a moving reflection on the meaning of life.

Joel Edgerton Is Supported by Prolific Cast Members

Based on Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella, the film runs a concise 95 minutes. While the novella presents the story in a more fragmented way, it’s difficult to compare which version is superior. The Netflix film offers a touching look at Robert’s entire life – a man who experienced both the late 19th century and a space launch on television.

Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams isn’t just the story of one man’s life; it captures a time of rapid change in America and the struggles of those left behind. Robert, often away from his family working with a logging crew in the Cascade Mountains, helps build railroads. While his bosses celebrate connecting the country and ushering in a new age, Robert remains detached, preoccupied with personal struggles common among working-class men of his era.

I’ve always been struck by Robert’s inherent goodness – even as a kid, he just couldn’t grasp why people were cruel to others. He builds these really genuine connections, like his friendship with Ignatius Jack, the Native American shopkeeper played brilliantly by Nathaniel Arcand, and he really admires Arn Peeples, this expert with explosives. Robert’s a pretty quiet guy, definitely an introvert who doesn’t force conversation, but he’s got this huge heart, always open to letting people in. It’s just… with that much love comes a lot of guilt and self-loathing, which is heartbreaking to watch.

While working, he was unable to save a logger of Chinese descent who fell from a bridge after being attacked by white men. After that, he was haunted by the man’s face and a recurring dream of his younger self being struck by a train. He felt destined for punishment, even though he couldn’t understand why he deserved it.

Train Dreams Is a Difficult, But Essential Watch

Just when things are finally going well for Robert, a terrible event throws his life into chaos. He becomes consumed with finding a solution to a problem that seems unsolvable. Actor Joel Edgerton delivers a powerfully moving and painful performance, embodying the suffering Robert anticipated for himself. He communicates Robert’s intense emotions with remarkable subtlety – his expressive eyes and withdrawn posture speak volumes. This deeply affecting role could finally establish Edgerton as the acclaimed actor he deserves to be.

I was completely captivated by Train Dreams, even though it’s a pretty tough read. It might seem strange to connect with a white man living in the early 1900s, but the story paints him as someone who embodies universal human struggles. What really got to me was Robert’s constant sense of loneliness and feeling lost. He’s clearly hurting, and despite his quiet humility, he just can’t seem to break down the barriers keeping him from connecting with others – it’s heartbreaking, and so relatable.

While Train Dreams isn’t always uplifting, it’s not entirely bleak either. The story unfolds like a series of snapshots from Robert’s life, moving from one important event to the next, sometimes at a leisurely pace. These moments offer glimpses of happiness and peace, which, while not erasing his sadness, provide a welcome change for viewers hoping for a bit of light. Even small interactions – like his love for his family or offering a ride to someone – feel deeply meaningful. The novel also stands out for its sensitive portrayal of Robert’s emotions, a refreshing contrast to typical male characters in historical dramas, making it a strong possibility for awards recognition.

Train Dreams is a beautifully crafted film that conveys a lot through visual storytelling, rather than dialogue. When characters do speak, it’s often through the voice of Will Patton, lending the film a storybook quality. The filmmakers prioritize showing the story, not just telling it. With a unique visual style – resembling a well-made home video, shot in a specific aspect ratio and with a distinctive color palette – the film uses its imagery to explore deeper philosophical ideas. Nature plays a central role in the story, acting as both a powerful ally and a destructive force in the life of the protagonist, Robert, mirroring its impact on everyone else.

Train Dreams Takes a Photograph of America’s Fast Progress in the 20th Century

Whether you approach it as a novel or a movie based on real events, Train Dreams feels like a genuine glimpse into the life of someone living in the early 1900s. Stories from this era often focus on the excitement of new technologies and advancements. While it’s good to celebrate these historical milestones, it’s important to remember that not everyone benefited from them. Robert, like many loggers of his time, was just one individual among countless others who lived and worked in those conditions.

What makes Train Dreams so compelling is that Robert’s life reflects a common experience of his era. Many people simply observe major changes happening around them without feeling directly involved. However, the story shows how Robert’s personal tragedies keep him stuck in the past. He’s an older man fascinated by new inventions like chainsaws and airplanes, often mocked by younger generations. Today, we see a similar dynamic with the rise of artificial intelligence, which is rapidly changing how we live. There will always be individuals, like Robert, who struggle to adapt to such shifts.

Robert accepting change later in life isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Edgerton’s happy expression as the older Robert is one of the most uplifting moments in the film. This is what makes Train Dreams so powerful—it doesn’t offer easy answers about life’s meaning or how to live it. Instead, Train Dreams provides hope, especially for people like Robert who find it hard to see the good in difficult times. The film doesn’t explain the world or how to deal with change, but it suggests that it’s never too late to find understanding and peace.

Train Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.

Read More

2025-11-22 00:17