In the spring of 2024, something special happened on Spokane's South Hill. The Netflix film Train Dreams — based on Denis Johnson's acclaimed novella — was being filmed across Eastern Washington, and Academy Award-nominated actress Felicity Jones, along with her husband and children, chose Manito Bungalow as their home during production.
Yes — the same 1920s craftsman bungalow that you can book for your Spokane visit was home to one of Hollywood's most celebrated actresses while she filmed one of 2025's most acclaimed movies.
About Train Dreams
Train Dreams is a period drama directed by Clint Bentley, adapted from Denis Johnson's 2011 novella. The film tells the story of Robert Grainier, a day laborer in the early American West, spanning 80 years of his life in the Pacific Northwest.
The cast is extraordinary: Joel Edgerton stars as Robert Grainier, with Felicity Jones as his wife Gladys. The ensemble includes Kerry Condon, William H. Macy, Nathaniel Arcand, Clifton Collins Jr., and narration by Will Patton.
Filmed Right Here in Eastern Washington
Principal photography began in April 2024, with approximately 90% of the film shot in Eastern Washington. Key filming locations included:
- Downtown Spokane — period-dressed street scenes
- Tekoa — the Empire Theater and Brotherton Seed buildings
- Metaline Falls — river and wilderness sequences
- Colville — the Webley Lumber Yard for logging camp scenes
- Snoqualmie — forest sequences
The entire production was shot in natural light using an ARRI Alexa 35 camera, lending the film a stunningly authentic visual quality. Cinematographer Adolpho Veloso even built a custom candle rig to light interior scenes without open flames.
A Critically Acclaimed Masterpiece
Train Dreams premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and was quickly acquired by Netflix. It was released in select theaters on November 7, 2025, and began streaming globally on November 21, 2025.
The film received extraordinary critical acclaim — a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 236 critics, and an 88/100 on Metacritic indicating "universal acclaim." It was named one of the top ten films of 2025 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.
At the 98th Academy Awards (March 2026), Train Dreams received four nominations: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Song for Nick Cave's "Train Dreams."
Felicity Jones at Manito Bungalow
During production, Felicity Jones — who earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in The Theory of Everything — stayed at Manito Bungalow with her husband, director Charles Guard, and their children. The bungalow's location on Spokane's quiet, tree-lined South Hill, just one block from Manito Park, made it the perfect home base for a family during a film shoot.
We're incredibly proud that our home provided comfort and warmth to the Jones-Guard family during this remarkable production. It's a testament to what we've always believed: Manito Bungalow isn't just a rental — it's a place that feels like home, whether you're staying for a weekend or an entire film shoot.
Director: Clint Bentley Stars: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy Streaming on: Netflix Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (236 critics) Academy Award Nominations: 4 (Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Song) Filmed: Eastern Washington, April 2024
Stay where the stars stayed. Book Manito Bungalow Prefer a platform? Find us on VRBO or Airbnb. and experience the same South Hill charm that Felicity Jones called home.