The Sundance Film Festival title, Omaha, touches on one of life’s greatest anxieties involving poverty. Since the pandemic, many of us have financial fears about the future. At the same time, we are living through one of the worst homeless crises in recent memory. Cole Webley directs a heartbreaking vision of a father on the brink of losing everything with nothing or nowhere to turn to. It’s a beautifully simple story but a tragic glance at a slice-of-life moment as a desperate father flees to Nebraska, aimlessly looking for salvation.
The film premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival this year to much acclaim, especially among critics. Here is our review of Omaha out of Sundance.
What is the film Omaha about?
Directed by Webley and based on a script by Robert Machoian, the film focuses on a family of three trying to survive a new event. The main lead, played by John Magaro (Past Lives), is mainly referred to as Dad by his daughter Ella (Molly Belle Wright) and his son Charlie (Wyatt Solis). The film begins on a subtle and grim note. Dad wakes Ella and Charlie, saying they are taking a family road trip. The confusion from the children is such that he tells them to pretend there is a fire and grab only the most important item they want.
As they exit the house, Dad’s attempt to make the exit normal is circumvented by an approaching police car. Dad implores the children to sit in the car as he talks with the officer. An unspoken, tense conversation is seen but not heard by the children, and then he gets in the vehicle for a family trip to Nebraska.
Along the way, their father tries to give them a sense of normality, but the children are intuitive. They can sense an unease within their Dad, almost like his world is ending. Nevertheless, with the family dog along for the ride and very little in his pocket, they push to Nebraska for an unforeseen future. What the children do not know is that they are now homeless, and money is running out for them.
A straightforward narrative that rewards in all the right ways
One of the biggest challenges for a storyteller is showing restraint while learning the craft. Most writers want to evoke grandeur or complex narratives from the start, simply because they feel it is necessary to achieve success. In reality, the smallest of stories can be the most gripping. In Omaha, the “keep it simple” approach allows the filmmaking and performances to move in and amplify the drama.
Magaro delivers a standout performance that is among the best of Sundance. Portraying vulnerability and weakness is one of the most challenging tasks for any actor. In this role, Magaro seems like a quiet, emotionally devastated bomb ready to go off at any minute. If one of his kids asks the right question about what is happening, he might crumble in tears.
The strong performances extend to the child actors. Wright and Solis deliver impressive portrayals as a brother and sister stuck in a passenger seat with nowhere to go. They skillfully navigate the emotional complexity of being youthful and naïve while sensing something is amiss. Furthermore, the connection between Magaro and Wright feels authentic. Their dynamic is the heart of Omaha, illustrating how a desperate father relies on his little girl to mature quickly in case she is ever put in a position where she needs to assume the role of authority figure for Charlie.
Omaha is an emotionally moving road trip
The realism and timeliness of Omaha make it both relatable and frightening. Many of us are experiencing unprecedented times when a virus, a leadership decision, or an economic shift could disrupt our livelihoods at any moment. The film expertly depicts the anguish of hitting rock bottom and feeling powerless when such moments occur. Machoian’s screenplay skillfully builds the emotional intensity, culminating in a compelling and moving finale. It arguably features one of the most unforgettable conclusions of the entire Sundance Film Festival.
Overall, Omaha is an emotionally moving road trip about the desperation of poverty and the circumstances parents face when they feel like they have no options left. It’s a beautifully written script, full of empathy for its central story and characters, with authentically superb performances, especially from John Magaro. For a feature film debut, Omaha is the best-case scenario for a filmmaker like Cole Webley to make an opening statement about his talent.
For more of our Sundance Film Festival 2025 coverage, visit the Sundance tag, or our YouTube channel playlist.
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