The Station Agent

Play trailer

The Station Agent

R

2003

1h 28m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

158 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas and unhappy wife Olivia Harris. As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.

Critics Consensus

A sweet and quirky film about a dwarf, a refreshment stand operator, and a reclusive artist connecting with one another.

Read Critics Reviews

Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

02/24/2023

None of the central performers put a foot wrong; Dinklage excels as a burdened man who is angry, tired, and tough.

Go to Full Review

Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

04/10/2018

The Station Agent is little more than a three-character, metaphorically burdened off-Broadway play, but Peter Dinklage's understated performance gives it a bit of substance.

Go to Full Review

Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

12/18/2017

Dinklage is a star, for sure, but the film is hypnotic because of its unusually certain and constantly delicate tone.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/14/2023

For the first time in his career, [Peter] Dinklage was allowed to play someone with dimension, passion, and an identity beyond his physical attributes, and he makes the most of it.

Go to Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

09/19/2022

B

Dinklage, much the best reason to see the movie, brings what must be a lifetime of weathering insults and morbid curiosity to his role.

Go to Full Review

Michael Clark

Epoch Times

10/24/2021

5/5

If you're in the market for a human-interest story which earns its uplift and inspiration tags through deft writing without beating you over the head with clichés and stereotypes, you're not likely to find a better example than The Station Agent.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

zilaa A

@RT41516816 May 18

I don't know why people like this movie, there's no explanation about a clear plot and Finn's character is very bad

See more

Abdulrehman T

@Reedify May 8

One of the best movies for passing your time but I feel like it is missing some quality. It is also really short. I would enjoy more of it.

See more

Briana I.

@Anaire May 3

This movie was a breath of fresh air. It's like a perfect rainy lazy day. Very subtle honest and relaxing. Every character played their roles so eloquently. Definitely recommend for an easy laid back mood.

See more

JP K

@JPKnLA Feb 11

One my "most underrated" - it strikes at the heart of great art, because while the actors are superb, and the crew produces great imagery, there's a feeling that TSA produces that's sublime. It's a movie that embodies that feeling I had while growing up in LA, of playing basketball all day, and then as it was late afternoon, the shadows elongated, but it was "Golden Hour" and the quiet beauty of life didn't bowl you over, it just revealed itself. If you're lucky enough to view this in the right frame of mind, you'll also witness a director who really knows what he's doing. A beautifully imposing movie.

See more

Lucas D

@Lucas.Dorner Feb 4

A really simple story with no big goal or mission.There isn’t a lot of excitement or tension while watching, but there were still some wow moments that surprised me and made me question myself and how I treat other people. It didn’t feel like a movie that was trying to force a moral or a message, and that’s probably why it’s so great. P.S Michelle Williams is cute as hell in that film

See more

Jeremy S

@RT61123228 Jan 27

It's a joy to watch. Difficult to say why. It just is. So there.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Tom McCarthy

Director

Peter Dinklage

Finbar McBride

Patricia Clarkson

Olivia Harris

Bobby Cannavale

Joe Oramas

Raven Goodwin

Cleo

Paul Benjamin

Henry Styles

World Traveler

35%

36%

World Traveler

Watchlist

Milwaukee, Minnesota

38%

50%

Milwaukee, Minnesota

Watchlist

The Human Stain

41%

48%

The Human Stain

Watchlist

The Jimmy Show

40%

37%

The Jimmy Show

Watchlist

Emile

55%

60%

Emile

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas and unhappy wife Olivia Harris. As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.

Director: Tom McCarthy
Producer: Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn Tucker
Screenwriter: Tom McCarthy
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: SenArt Films, Next Wednesday Productions
Rating: R (Some Drug Content|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround