After earning raves at Sundance and locking in a coveted spot at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival,Train Dreamsis finally heading to audiences — and the early buzz is off the charts. Adapted fromDenis Johnson’sPulitzer Prize finalist novella, the film will open inselect theaters on November 7, before making itsNetflixdebut onNovember 21. Ahead of that, the Tudum gang has just dropped the powerful and atmospheric first teaser, and it looks like one you won’t want to miss. Directed byCliff Bentley,Train DreamsstarsJoel Edgertonin what critics are calling the performance of his career, alongside a heavyweight cast includingFelicity Jones,Kerry Condon, andWilliam H. Macy.
Set in early 20th century America,Train Dreamsfollows a logger and railroad worker navigating the quiet tragedies and sweeping changes of a rapidly evolving country. The film has been hailed for its lyrical tone, emotional precision, and haunting Americana visuals — a period drama that finds unexpected power in the understated.
At Sundance, critics were effusive.The Hollywood Reporterwrote, “At the risk of gushing, I adored this perfectly formed movie. It elevates Bentley into the league of essential American filmmakers.”The Daily Beastcalled it “the best film of this year’s Sundance Film Festival,” whileVulturestated that, “Train Dreamsis a staggering work of art.”
Who Is In ‘Train Dreams’?
Edgerton, who also serves as executive producer, delivers whatThe Playlistdescribed as “a career-best performance.” The supporting cast includesNathaniel Arcand,Clifton Collins Jr.,John Diehl,Paul Schneider, andWill Patton, who narrates the film. The score comes from acclaimed composerBryce Dessner, an Academy Award nominee and multi-Grammy winner best known forThe Two PopesandThe Revenant. The screenplay was adapted by Bentley andGreg Kwedar, with Bentley also directing. It marks a major artistic leap for the filmmaker and has sparked comparisons to earlyTerrence MalickandKelly Reichardt, as well as other quiet chroniclers of American interiority.
Train Dreamscurrently holds a97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 36 reviews — an impressive mark that seems poised to hold as it heads into awards season. Netflix’s choice to give the film a limited theatrical window before streaming suggests they know it’s going to be a big awards contender, so obviously getting it into theaters is the gateway to doing that.
Train Dreamshits theaters on November 7. Check out the trailer above.
Train Dreams
