Omaha Film Review – Sundance 2025

What is Omaha About?

Directed by Cole Webley and written by Robert Machoian, Omaha is one of the quiet standouts of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. It may be slight in its scope (and runtime), but that doesn’t stop it from being emotionally devastating.

Set against the shadow of the 2008 financial crisis, Omaha captures a tale of familial grief and hardship, which shapes the emotional core of this story about a father, his two kids, and a “roadtrip” they didn’t quite plan for.

Cole Webley and the Sundance Film Festival

Cole Webley, a longtime Sundance regular and Utah native, makes his directorial debut with Omaha. The film was an idea born out of his admiration for Machoian’s work, specifically The Killing of Two Lovers. Webley reached out to Machoian (another Utah native), convinced him of his vision, and managed to secure the script – a partnership that delivers big emotional returns on the screen.

The film follows a single father and his two young children as they embark on what appears to be a spur-of-the-moment road trip from Utah to Nebraska. To the kids, it starts as a potential vacation. However, as the film progresses, we the viewers, in lockstep with the children, slowly piece together something far more heartbreaking under the surface of their journey.

John Magaro’s Performance in Omaha

At the heart of Omaha is John Magaro, who delivers a career-defining performance. In fact, Magaro was ranked fourth in the IndieWire Critics poll for Best Performance at the festival (a vote I was thrilled to contribute to). He portrays a father whose quiet pain is intertwined with vulnerability, and while we may not agree with the actions he takes, we are still given no choice but to empathize.

The dynamic between Magaro and the two child actors is another highlight. The daughter, slightly older and more perceptive, starts piecing together the reality of their situation, which leads to deeply impactful moments as she starts to blame herself for the situation the family has found themselves in. The son serves primarily as a comedic relief and reinforces a sense of childhood joy and innocence. Interestingly, despite not knowing what “improvisation” is, it became clear in the post-screening Q&A that Wyatt Solis did improvise many of his lines (some top-tier poop jokes, of course).

Paul Meyers and the Cinematography of Omaha

Much of Omaha is shaped by the vision of Paul Meyers, who collaborated closely with Webley. They deliberately crafted a muted, subdued aesthetic inspired by photographs of rural American highways. Desolation is woven into every frame – desaturated blues and greens dominate, while oranges are intentionally suppressed to evoke a stark, melancholic tone.

But beneath the rough exterior lies many beautiful shots. My personal favourite involves the two children playing in front of the car’s headlights at night, as their father sits alone, thinking about his own pain, and the pain he is about to cause. It’s a simple shot, but one that encapsulates the film’s essence – this small glimmer of hope in an otherwise unforgiving world.

Meyers has discussed how they intended to make the visual palette of the film almost “ugly” to capture a sort of “gritty” reality in rural America, and this works brilliantly. The visuals are raw and unpolished, with many shots dipping deep into shadows and sacrificing dynamic range for authenticity.

The Emotion and Familial Pain in Omaha

Omaha doesn’t follow the typical beats of a road trip movie. There’s no action-packed crescendo or shocking twists around every corner. Instead, it’s almost meditative – the story is slight, clocking in at just over 80 minutes. But if you’re willing to sit with its deliberately slower pace, the depth and emotional weight waiting for you are more than worth it.

There’s one particularly dramatic moment, but for the most part, the film focuses on the little things – moments of joy, tension, and heartbreak that play out within the confined space of a car and quick stops on the side of the highway.

More than anything, Omaha is a film about relationships. It’s about the bonds that hold a family together, even as they’re tested by tragedy. It’s about the choices we make, the regrets we carry, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward.

The daughter’s arc is particularly poignant. As the situation unravels, she starts blaming herself for her family’s struggles. It’s heartbreaking, especially when contrasted with her younger brother’s blissful ignorance. The dynamic feels incredibly real, hitting that balance between childhood innocence and the weight of growing up too fast.

Should You Watch the Omaha Movie?

Without delving into spoilers, the film’s origin in true events adds another layer of sincerity. Webley and Machoian have spoken about how the story is essentially an amalgamation of different real-life experiences, making the ultimate “twist” incredibly resonant.

It’s a must-watch.

What to Know About Omaha