This gentle neo-Western-drama evokes empathy, patience, and the art of never giving up. Written and directed by Max Walker-Silverman, Rebuilding (2025) follows rancher, Dusty (Josh O’Connor) and his daughter Callie-Rose (Lily LaTorre) as they try to find their community when they become rehomed in a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) camp after a wildfire takes their ranch. But along his journey, Dusty also begins reconnecting with his ex-wife, Ruby (Meghann Fahy) and he navigates the challenges that come with ‘rebuilding’ your life after a devastating wildfire takes everything from you. Rebuilding (2025) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025.
When Hope & Resilience Powers Through
Dusty represents the typical stoic cowboy who isn’t familiar with expressing his emotions and asking for help. His new environment strips everything back to the basics which makes his relationship dynamics with others around him become raw. We see the community gather together and connect through scenes including singing around a fire. But Dusty also develops a strong connection with his mother-in-law, Bess (Amy Madigan).
Bess is a guiding light to him and Callie-Rose but she is also dealing with her own progressive illness. Dusty’s neighbour, Mila (Kali Reis) also acts as a caring supportive character who encourages Dusty to open up to his feelings. Dusty’s situation causes him to change his original plans to move to Montana. Instead, he stays with his daughter, which inevitably makes them rekindle their relationship and he no longer feels like he doesn’t really know her.
There’s an interesting contrast between the characters and their location. With the desolate wilderness behind them in the background, the foreground shows a community closely huddled together and making the best with what they have left. Dusty is more or less forced to open up more and connect with those around him. Sadly, there are sentimental moments mixed in too. A particularly heartbreaking scene sends a reminder to both the characters and the audience that life is not forever. Dusty is a character who represents strong resilience and gathering a sense of belonging amongst a backdrop of tremendous loss.
Beautiful Location Shots
There’s some beautiful location shots. But one of the most harrowing shots show the arid landscape and the aftermath of a devastating wildfire. These shots are shockingly reminiscent of the January 2025 Southern California wildfires where infamously high-profile Hollywood celebrities lost their homes, including Jeff Bridges and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Interestingly, the setting and vast scenery plays a character in itself and brings its challenges. With climate change being a current major world topic, this factor undeniably connects viewers to Dusty’s story of resilience no matter where they are from.
But Lily LaTorre steals the spotlight here, playing his ten-year-old daughter, Callie-Rose. Her vivacious nature for reading makes her not only a great onscreen role model but an instantly likeable character. She can also stand up for herself and her strong willpower challenges Dusty’s parental skills. Josh O’Connor and Lily LaTorre bounce off each other really well here and create a very believable onscreen father-daughter dynamic. They become an unlikely unformidable duo amongst the community.
A Father Trying to Find His Way
Its pacing is very slow but cleverly mirrors that of Dusty’s small-town lifestyle and films under the Western genre. At the heart of the story is the sweet relationship between father and daughter duo, Dusty and Callie-Rose. Rebuilding (2025) covers themes of family and community, loss and resilience, emotional healing and environmental renewal. Its title really holds two meanings – where the characters try to ‘rebuild’ their personal connections and ‘rebuild’ their damaged arid land.
Although, in our fast-paced world, it’s rather a relaxing viewing and immerses us into the world of a slower paced lifestyle in southern Colorado. Relaxed, tranquil, and a world away from city life – this calm-natured drama reels you in with its family dynamics. The film causes the community to ‘rebuild’ in every sense – physically, emotionally, and socially. Amongst its tender, warm, and heartfelt tone is a father trying to find his way.
Rebuilding (2026) is released on 17th April across UK cinemas.
You can read more reviews like D Is for Distance (2026) here.
Rating: 3 Stars