Train Dreams is a 2025 American drama film based on the 2011 Pulitzer Prize-nominated novella by Denis Johnson. Directed by Clint Bentley and co-written with Greg Kwedar, the film stars Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier, a logger building the great railroads of early 20th-century America. Alongside him are Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy.
The film is set to release theatrically in the U.S. on November 7, 2025, followed by a global streaming release on Netflix on November 21. It’s a story of resilience, change, and loss—centered around a man trying to make sense of his place in a world evolving with the rapid spread of railroads.
But beyond the story, what makes Train Dreams especially noteworthy is the location where it was filmed: the very land it is based upon.
Where Was Train Dreams Filmed?
Principal photography for Train Dreams began in April 2024, with production staying almost entirely within Eastern Washington. This decision added a strong layer of authenticity to the film, as the story itself is set in the Inland Northwest—a region deeply rooted in the original novella.
According to producer William Janowitz, “You can’t get more authentic than being in the place the story actually took place.” Janowitz emphasized how important it was to capture the raw, untouched terrain that Denis Johnson wrote about. Much of the novel refers to places like Spokane, Sandpoint, Wallace, and the Kootenai River—some of which appear directly in the film, while others influenced the visual language.
Key Filming Locations
Spokane, Washington
Downtown Spokane was one of the main places where films were filmed in cities. The production team worked with the Spokane Development Services Centre to meet specific set requirements, such as turning off streetlights in some areas to make it feel like the early 1900s. Nicole Riley from the centre said that the crew had some “interesting requests,” which shows how much care was taken to make sure the show was true to the time period.
Though the exact city blocks used were kept under wraps, it’s confirmed that several key scenes involving Robert Grainier’s interactions with townspeople and rail workers were shot in this area.
Metaline Falls, Washington
This small town near the Canadian border was a standout location. With its well-preserved buildings from the early 1900s and rough mountain scenery, Metaline Falls was a great place to imagine the story’s frontier towns. The winding train tracks through this area were used for dramatic scenes that showed how Grainier’s rails worked on rough terrain.
Colville, Washington
Rural, quiet, and beautifully wooded, Colville served as a primary site for scenes depicting Robert’s solitude and inner conflict. A number of forest scenes, log-cutting moments, and more intimate character interactions were filmed in and around this town.
North Bend & Snoqualmie, Washington
Known for their iconic landscapes and historic railways, both towns provided a cinematic setting. The team used stretches of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and historic train routes for several sequences that show Robert’s grueling work and travel across the American West.
Tekoa & Chewelah, Washington
These lesser-known towns rounded out the Eastern Washington shoot, offering wide-open fields, rustic homes, and untouched natural beauty. Tekoa’s old railway bridge and Chewelah’s forest paths helped recreate the isolation and hardship the story calls for.
Seattle, Washington
Though only used for a handful of shots, Seattle was included for logistical and post-production reasons. A few studio interiors and support scenes were shot here.
Why Washington?
The Inland Northwest, specifically Eastern Washington, was always part of the plan. Denis Johnson himself lived in Bonners Ferry, Idaho—just over the border—and filled his novella with references to the towns and rivers of this region. The production team felt it was only right to film where the spirit of the story was born.
Janowitz shared, “The Kootenai tribe plays a hand in our story. It begins just over the border in Bonners Ferry, and there is just a lot of connective tissue to this place.” The inclusion of tribal perspectives, along with filming near ancestral lands, added depth to the setting.
Even though some scenes could have been shot on soundstages or in generic mountain regions, the crew made a conscious choice to stay true to the land. The result is a visual experience that feels honest and grounded.
On-Set Experience
While the film’s cast and crew haven’t publicly shared behind-the-scenes photos, it’s known that lead actors Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones were on location throughout Washington during spring 2024. Locals in Spokane and Colville reportedly spotted the stars filming in historical areas.
Clint Bentley, the director, spoke briefly about the experience in a press interview, saying, “There’s a kind of magic filming on land that feels like it holds stories. Every hill, every river here—it all helped shape the emotion of the film.”
Official Trailer
For more updates on filming locations and behind-the-scenes production details, visit netfilming.com, your source for movie, TV, and reality show production news.
The Strangers – Chapter 2 Filming Locations
