• “Train Dreams” has a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is streaming on Netflix.
  • Joel Edgerton leads Clint Bentley’s adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella.
  • The 102-minute film blends sweeping visuals with intimate, character-driven drama.
  • Supporting cast includes Felicity Jones, William H. Macy, Kerry Condon and Will Patton.

Why Train Dreams is a must-watch on Netflix

Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams, adapted from Denis Johnson’s acclaimed novella, is one of Netflix’s most praised releases of 2025. The film currently holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has drawn attention for its technical craft and emotional resonance. Joel Edgerton stars as Robert Grainier, a logger whose solitary life becomes a lens on America’s industrial and spiritual upheavals.

Powerful performances and a tight runtime

At 102 minutes, Train Dreams compresses a life into a lean, affecting narrative. Edgerton delivers a quietly powerful lead performance, surrounded by a strong supporting cast that includes Felicity Jones, William H. Macy, Kerry Condon and Will Patton. Will Patton’s narration helps bind the film’s episodic structure into a coherent emotional arc.

Visual storytelling and thematic scope

Bentley favors natural lighting and intimate camerawork to highlight both grand set pieces and small moments. The film tracks Grainier through decades of change — from westward expansion to the rise of modern technologies — using his personal losses and connections to examine the human costs of progress. Scenes of forest fires, railroad work and quiet domestic life create a contrast that critics say lends the film its unique power.

Adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella

Adapting Johnson’s compressed, thematically rich novella was widely considered a challenge, but Bentley’s film preserves the book’s melancholic wonder. Train Dreams is both a historical meditation and a character study: it interrogates how economic and technological forces reshape communities and individuals, while lingering on intimate moments of love and loss.

Critical reception and awards buzz

With a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, Train Dreams has quickly become an awards-season conversation starter. Critics praise its technical achievements, emotional weight, and the way it balances spectacle with quiet reflection. Many consider it an underdog contender that could extend Netflix’s pedigree in serious dramatic filmmaking.

Where to watch

Train Dreams is available to stream on Netflix. For more on the film and an interview with Joel Edgerton, see Netflix Tudum’s feature: Netflix Tudum: Train Dreams and the interview piece: Joel Edgerton interview.

Bottom line

Train Dreams is a compact but ambitious film that pairs strong performances with striking visuals. Its 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating reflects broad critical admiration; for viewers who appreciate historical dramas rooted in character and craft, it’s one of Netflix’s standout releases of 2025.

Image Referance: https://www.bgr.com/2076379/netflix-best-movie-2025-train-dreams-rotten-tomatoes/