Netflix’s New Historical Movie Arrives, Critics Praise It as a Masterpiece
Netflix’s newest historical drama is turning heads around the world, as Train Dreams arrives on the platform after a strong run in theaters and at festivals.
The film, based on Denis Johnson’s novella, is directed by Clint Bentley and stars Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, Clifton Collins Jr., and William H. Macy. It first premiered at Sundance earlier this year, and critics have been praising it ever since.
The story follows Robert Grainier, played by Edgerton, a quiet logger who spends long stretches of time working on the expansion of America’s early railroad system. His work takes him far from his family, and the film explores how he tries to hold onto his place in a world that is rapidly changing around him. Netflix released the movie this week after a limited theatrical release in November.
The final trailer for TRAIN DREAMS is here. Will have more to say about it very soon, but trust me when I say there's so much beauty to how this film is stitched together. It continues to play at The Grand Cinema for the next week and you should see it on the big screen if ya can pic.twitter.com/LlwlQ2Gqz3
— Chase 'Hutch' Hutchinson (@EclecticHutch) November 20, 2025
The film has earned strong reviews from major outlets. Rotten Tomatoes shows a very high approval rating from critics, while Metacritic lists the film with what they call “universal acclaim.” Many reviewers have focused on Bentley’s direction and Edgerton’s performance, calling it one of the strongest of his career.
Some critics offered especially detailed praise for how Edgerton carries the emotion of the story. One review said “most of those early-20th century landscapes radiate from the far reaches of the Northwest, where Edgerton speaks with his eyes in the same way that Bentley and director of photography Adolpho Veloso affectionately point their cameras.”
Another added that “his performance is devastating… he puts on an acting clinic.” A third critic reflected on the character itself, writing that “Grainier is a nobody, and yet within him is contained the full breadth of human emotion.”
The film has already picked up several award nominations, including recognition at the Gotham Awards for Best Feature and Best Adapted Screenplay. With its arrival on Netflix, many more viewers are now discovering the story for the first time.
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