Train Dreams follows the life of Robert Grainier, a quiet railway labourer whose world is shaped by the rapid industrial expansion of early 20th-century America.

As railroads cut through forests and transform the landscape, Robert witnesses the changes with a mixture of awe and unease, carrying with him memories and moments that leave lasting marks on his life.

From his early days working on remote track-laying crews to the time he builds a home and starts a family, Robert’s story is told through a blend of reflection and lived experience.

A chance encounter early in his career haunts him for decades, colouring the way he understands fate, guilt, and the harshness of frontier life. When devastating loss strikes, he is forced to navigate isolation, shifting communities, and a land that feels both beautiful and unforgiving.

Inspired by Denis Johnson’s acclaimed novella, Train Dreams traces one man’s journey from youth to old age, capturing the fragile connection between people, memory, and the natural world. 

‘Working from a novella by Denis Johnson, Bentley and co-writer Greg Kwedar (Sing Sing) tell a story of an ordinary life in an extraordinary way,’ – RogerEbert ★★★★