The Station Agent

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The Station Agent

R

2003

1h 28m

Drama

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

Feb 24, 2023

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

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Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

Apr 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.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Dec 18, 2017

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

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Apr 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.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Sep 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.

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

Oct 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.

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Les N

@Vegas628 Sep 3, 2026

How did I miss this gem???

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Juris O

@Juris100 Jun 23, 2026

A light, good-natured film without any particular semantic meaning.

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zilaa A

@RT41516816 May 18, 2026

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

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Abdulrehman T

@Reedify May 8, 2026

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.

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Briana I.

@Anaire May 3, 2026

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.

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JP K

@JPKnLA Feb 11, 2026

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.

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Tom McCarthy

Director

Peter Dinklage

Finbar McBride

Patricia Clarkson

Olivia Harris

Bobby Cannavale

Joe Oramas

Raven Goodwin

Cleo

Paul Benjamin

Henry Styles

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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

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