In this episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, we take a deep, thoughtful, and often hilarious look at Train Dreams (2025), the Clint Bentley–directed period drama starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, and a scene-stealing William H. Macy .
Chosen by special returning guest Chris (MilkmanAmerica), Train Dreams is described as “a thinking movie and a feeling movie” that challenges the idea of what it means for a film to be entertaining . Rather than focusing on traditional plot, the movie observes the quiet, often brutal life of a logger during the early 20th century as America undergoes massive industrial change.
We talk about how the film feels intentionally “plotless” and why the narration is essential to grounding us in Robert’s internal life . With minimal dialogue and a slow, meditative pace, the movie asks us to sit with grief, silence, and memory instead of chasing spectacle.
Existential themes and the fragility of life
The devastating loss of Robert’s wife and daughter in the cabin fire
William H. Macy as the “Gandalf” archetype and why his death is so symbolic
The brutal realities of the railroad era and racial violence against Chinese workers
Whether Joel Edgerton “carries” a film the way Leonardo DiCaprio does
The meaning behind the sudden, shocking death of Apostle Frank
Why the movie feels like a meditation on grief rather than a traditional story
We also explore how Train Dreams reflects the dangers of the industrial revolution, showing a world without safety nets, HR, or even basic sanitation. Life is cheap, work is deadly, and survival is never guaranteed.
The score by Bryce Dessner and the original song by Nick Cave are subtle but emotionally devastating. Alex connects Cave’s real-life losses to the emotional weight of the film, arguing that grief is not just a theme—it’s the soul of Train Dreams .
This episode is part film breakdown, part philosophy session, part chaos—and that’s exactly why we love it. Train Dreams may not be for everyone, but it’s a movie that lingers long after the credits roll.
