Nick Cave and Aaron Dessner Collaborate on "Train Dreams" for Sundance Film

In January 2025, the film "Train Dreams" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Clint Bentley, the movie is based on the 2011 novella by the late author Denis Johnson. The film features a cast including Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy.

While composer Aaron Dessner created the film's score, he collaborated with renowned musician Nick Cave on the end credits track. Bentley explains that Cave, who is a fan of the original novella, initially feared he wouldn't have time to contribute due to an upcoming tour. However, after watching the film, Cave was inspired to write something for the project, and the track came together quickly.

Bentley notes that he was slightly apprehensive about Cave's contribution capturing the emotive tone of the film's conclusion, but the two were "very much on the same page." The director describes the experience of having a "really lovely conversation" with Cave about life and art, as the musician read him the lyrics he was working on, as a "really special moment."

"Train Dreams" is set to receive a wider theatrical release on November 7, 2025, followed by a Netflix premiere two weeks later on November 21. The film's soundtrack, including the Cave and Dessner collaboration, will be available digitally on November 7, with a vinyl release the following week on November 14.