The Australian tough guy taking inspiration from Robert Redford in Netflix's 'Train Dreams'

NEW YORK Joel Edgerton is remarkably talkative. Not just in quantity, but in depth. His words flow in rich, detailed narratives, as if he were crafting stories in real time. This makes it ironic that his most acclaimed role to date is as a man of few words. The only way to get me to stop talking is to put me in front of a camera, the 51-year-old actor-director laughs, leaning back in a chair overlooking Central Park from Manhattans Mandarin Oriental hotel. Rolling! Finally, theyve silenced me! he jokes, mimicking every frustrated director hes ever worked with. I dont think Im inherently funny, but in life, Im more lively and expressive than most of my characters.

On this late October morning, Edgerton is already several coffees and interviews in, promoting Train Dreams, a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film chronicling the life of a logger in the early 20th-century Pacific Northwest. The story traces decades of change, from railroad expansion to the dawn of aviation. Edgerton is present in nearly every frame, capturing a kind of understated male heroism rarely seen today. Adapted from Denis Johnsons 2011 novella, the film unfolds largely through narration, as though told around a campfire. His character, Robert Grainier, spends months away from his family, cutting timber and witnessing history, communicating volumes through silence and subtle expression.

My perspective on masculinity has shifted dramatically over time, Edgerton explains. The idea of a man being purely about toughness is outdated. Real masculinity includes tenderness, vulnerability, and care. Strength and gentleness coexist. He reflects on the iconic actors who influenced himArnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stalloneobserving that beneath their tough exteriors was a visible humanity that mattered. You could still see the child they once were, he adds.

Edgerton, in bright casual attire, married Christine Centenera, editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia, in 2018. They have twin sons and split their time between London and Sydney. The actor first encountered Train Dreams seven years ago when gifted Johnsons novella. Though initially unable to secure adaptation rights, he revisited the project in 2022 when director Clint Bentley approached him. It was uncanny that he knew how much I loved this book, Edgerton says. Bentley wanted a lead capable of blending toughness with tenderness, someone believable both wielding an axe and cradling a child. During editing, much voice-over narration was removed, letting Edgertons performance convey depth naturally.

Edgerton, known for roles ranging from young Owen Lars in the Star Wars prequels to Navy SEALs and MMA fighters, has always blended vulnerability with his masculine roles. Becoming a father heightened his empathy, deepening his connection to Roberts quiet struggles. Experiencing fear for my children helped me relate to the characters sense of loss, he shares. He calls Train Dreams his most personal project, a space to explore silence and lived experience authentically.

Raised in rural New South Wales in a family of sheep farmers, Edgertons early life was intertwined with nature and work. His first significant international role was in Kinky Boots (2005), followed by high-profile projects like The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty, and Warrior. Alongside his brother Nash, he co-founded Blue-Tongue Films, producing gritty, psychologically intense films including Animal Kingdom. Edgertons directorial debut, The Gift, examined high school cruelty and moral choices, a theme resonating with his later work.

With Train Dreams, Edgerton achieves a first lead role since Loving (2016) that fully engages his emotional range. Bentley emphasizes the need to portray a man from an era lacking expressive vocabulary yet rich in internal life. Edgerton relates to Roberts silence, comparing it to classic actors who stripped dialogue to convey presence and intention. He also draws a modern parallel: Robert staring at chainsaws is like us confronting AI, trying to figure out its impact.

Fatherhood has also sharpened Edgertons awareness of toxic masculinity. In another film this year, The Plague, he plays a powerless coach confronting cruelty among adolescents, echoing themes from The Gift. Its about learning kindness and resilience in formative years, he notes. Meanwhile, Train Dreams celebrates ordinary lives, the quiet courage in daily existence, and choosing love, family, and dignity over prejudice. Roberts ability to embrace his experiences, both good and bad, is profoundly meaningful to me, Edgerton concludes.

Author: Sophia Brooks