Directed by: Max Walker-Silverman
Written by: Max Walker-Silverman
Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Josh O’Connor is no stranger to the slower side of cinema. In Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera (2023) he plays an archaeologist-turned-graverobber in the rural Tuscan countryside, while in Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind (2025) he leads a museum heist in suburban Massachusetts – both sound lively, but neither is in a rush. His latest film, Max Walker-Silverman’s Rebuilding is perhaps not just as sedate as these titles, but nonetheless arrives with a similarly unhurried pace.
The film follows Dusty (Josh O’Connor), a cowboy whose ranch has been completely devastated by wildfires. Finding himself temporarily rehomed in a FEMA camp for those affected by the fires, he begins to reconnect with his ex-wife, Ruby (Meghann Fahy) and their young daughter Callie Rose (Lily LaTorre). However, with an uncertain future ahead of him, Dusty must discern what, if anything, he can salvage from the ashes, all the while pondering if he has what it takes to become a present father to Callie Rose again.
For Dusty to make these decisions though, he must first sit with his loss. The loss of his livelihood, the loss of his family history and perhaps most painfully, the loss of his purpose. His contemplation, like the film, is slow and gentle, allowing him the chance to re-evaluate his priorities and consider all the possibilities of his difficult predicament. But Rebuilding is comfortable in this in-between. The limbo that connects different cycles of life; one is over, but the next hasn’t properly begun yet. And it’s in this space where Walker-Silverman creates his most moving moments of honesty and catharsis – the camp residents sharing stories about what they’ve lost in the fires being just one of several that proves particularly profound.
These instances of earnest reflection are scattered throughout Rebuilding, potentially too sparsely for some viewers. Yet, those willing to adapt to the slower pace of its cinematic rhythms will find much to engage with on the subject of loss. Its strong focus on community reminds viewers that it’s the people around us who’ll help us through times of hardships, not governments or banks – as Dusty quickly discovers too. It reminds us of the power we do hold, and the difference we can make for each other. With pride to consider though, we first have to be willing to accept these outpourings of assistance.
For Dusty, this is a struggle. Aptly, Josh O’Connor’s performance is very reserved, embodying a man entirely stripped of his identity. “Can you be a cowboy even without cows now?” his daughter asks. It’s an innocent question, but one that bluntly confronts his unfortunate lack of purpose, and O’Connor captures this newfound aimlessness with ease. Now adrift in his own life he moves like an unassuming tumbleweed, slowly shuffling between settings with no real direction, but Dusty isn’t just a cowboy, he’s a father too. As his young daughter Caliee Rose, Lily LaTorre is very sweet. You can see how absolutely taken with her Dad she is and just how much she wants to be like him. Their relationship is understated, not leaning too far into melodrama, but ample enough to make Dusty’s conflict in choosing what’s next convincing.
Elsewhere, the film is padded out with a range of characters that feel authentic to this story and setting. Kali Reis plays Mali, a fellow FEMA camp resident whose kindness helps her to connect with Dusty. Likewise, Meghann Fahy’s portrayal of his ex-wife Ruby showcases a goodwill towards him that wouldn’t always be the case with this type of relationship. Although it’s Amy Madigan, who plays Ruby’s mother Bess, that leaves the biggest impression. Her endearing warmth here is miles away from her twisted turn in recent horror hit Weapons (2025) and displays her versatility excellently. It’s a relatively small, but very sentimental role and Madigan manages it wonderfully.
Dusty is blessed to be surrounded by such caring, nurturing female figures, and Rebuilding recognises their strength in putting him back together again. It’s a simple but heartwarming story of a man regaining his resolve and reshaping his priorities. His shift from farmer to father reminds audiences that even when things are unfairly taken from us, there’s often opportunity in that absence to enrich other areas of our lives. And ultimately, Rebuilding offers us that same encouragement, to be brave enough to take what remains and construct something new.
Star Rating: ★ ★ ★
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