Omaha (2025) - A Movie Review

Where are we going on our trip?

"Omaha" drove into theaters in 2025. Suffering from hard times, a father packs up the car and takes his children on the road to Omaha. Along the way, they visit several sites and talk about their grievances.

The mood in the theater took a complete 180 at the end of "Omaha" when I saw it at the New Hampshire Film Festival. "Omaha" combines themes about travel, family, and change. Its message stays with you when you discover the story’s true message.

Molly Belle Wright (Ella) is what drew me to watch this film. I first watched Wright in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a movie that deserves more recognition. Wright is an incredible actress for her young age.

I recall hearing people praise Wright’s abilities while walking out of the theater. Wright acted in very tough emotional scenes. Ella has a mature demeanor, but she is still a child. She has seen more dark moments than most children.

This is Wyatt Solis’s acting debut as Charlie, Ella’s younger brother. Like Wright, Solis also adds a child's innocence to the film. The film focuses closely on Ella and Charlie’s perspectives. They ask their father very serious questions.

John Magaro’s performance as the dad is riveting. According to his IMDB credits, I have seen more movies with Magaro than I realized. Magaro has a strong and subtle countenance in most of his roles.

In Magaro’s role as the dad, love and sadness flood his eyes. This was an intense role for Magaro, who had to make tough decisions for his kids’ lives.

In Cole Webley’s directorial debut, he takes a simplistic story and turns it into something that stays on your mind. As a father of four, Webley immediately connected with Robert Machoian’s screenplay. Webley directs this understated drama with remarkable patience and compassion.

Webley looked out for the young actors during filming and talked about all the tough moments. There are scenes where actors barely speak, but the emotions fill the car.

The locations play a major part in this movie. "Omaha" is all about road travel. I’ll watch any film with road travel. During the long trek, the family makes stops at gas stations, cities, and motels. You don’t realize how important gas stations are when you are on the road. To kids, they’re like amusement parks with all the treats in the convenience store.

The majority of "Omaha" was filmed in Utah, one of my favorite destinations. Wyoming and Nebraska were also locations. Cinematographer Paul Meyers created beautiful shots of landscapes. From a child’s perspective, they’re amplified even more. Driving in a car can feel so invigorating, but there’s still that unknown sense.

One aspect of this film that is done well is the tone. Although the dad takes his kids on several fun side-stops, there’s always a foreboding feeling. Enjoy time with loved ones while you can because you never know what will happen next.

Reportedly, there were some tears on set during critical scenes. Wright said that crewmembers were supportive during the story’s sensitive moments. As soon as filming scenes were cut, they’d have a party to enhance the mood.

"Omaha" is based on a devastating event. Even seven months later, the conclusion is firmly fixed in my mind. Webley’s direction in this scene is heartbreaking and impactful as the perspective and tone immediately change. It shows you how fragile life is.

The ending of "Omaha" is intense, but the film is a good watch. You may want to research it before watching so you know what to expect.