PalCinema Review: Omaha
John Magaro stars as a father taking his two children on a sudden road trip
May 28, 2026
FILM: OMAHA
DIRECTED BY: COLE WEBLEY
STARRING: JOHN MAGARO, MOLLY BELLE WRIGHT, WYATT SOLIS
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Omaha is the kind of film that reveals very little information for much of its running time but that by the end provides a satisfying, if bittersweet understanding of just what it was trying to accomplish. That might be a bit frustrating for some that seek answers more quickly but ultimately, I think the choices made by director Cole Webley work.
It stars John Magaro (Past Lives, September 5) as a father who wakes his two children up one morning to take them on a sudden cross-country trip. A few sparse details are given that his wife has passed away and that the family is being evicted from their home. Where they are going and what the purpose of the trip is does not get initially revealed. The kids, Ella, aged nine and Charlie, aged six, vary in their curiosity about the trip. Ella knows something is up but doesn’t get clear answers from her father. Charlie seems thrilled to be on an adventure and appropriately oblivious as to where and why they are going.
The story follows them over several days as they make their way from Utah to Omaha, Nebraska. There’s not a lot of significant tension for a while except for the occasional problems getting the car started and the scarcity of money. All the while dad tries to remain calm and caring for his kids while bathed in tears when left alone.
There are some pretty major plot points which I won’t reveal here that begin to explain what is happening to the family. A few moments are quite devastating to watch but bear in mind there is nothing horrific happening but there are some major decisions being made by a father who has reached the lowest point in his life. Some may question at least one of those choices but understanding who he is and what he is going through is a key to accepting what transpires near the end of the film.
John Magaro is generally low-key and understated in his performance as the father. He demonstrates the inner strength his character has in relation to his children by not exposing them to deeply disturbing moments, for the most part. When Magaro gets to unleash at the character’s darkest moment, every ounce of his frustration and rage feels earned.
The young actors playing Ella and Charlie may be the most impressive here though. Molly Belle Wright demonstrates the maturity of an older sibling who is reaching the age when she can care for her younger brother while becoming increasingly sensitive to her father’s struggles. Wyatt Solis is a natural ham of an actor but in the best possible ways. He’s able to improvise and basically just speak and act like a kid. His body movements and dancing represent an age when one is less self-conscious of what others think. He’s playful and free.
The film is generally very well-shot for a road movie with some of the best uses of the camera focused on the city of Omaha at dawn or twilight. The more dramatic moments of the story are well-edited providing a strong and emotional climax to the film.
Omaha may be a tough sell for some since so much information is withheld for much of the film yet in the end there is a tough social message about parenting, grief, and love that is worth the final reveals.
Omaha opens in limited release this week, including a run at the Gene Siskel Center in Chicago.
What do you think? Will you check this film out?
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This sounds interesting, particularly the performance of the main three actors. I also like the fact that there seems to be a bit of tension and mystery throughout. I’ll definitely keep it on my radar!
It sounds great to me by your description. I don’t mind not knowing backstory or exactly what is happening if I am connected to the characters. I will be looking out for this one.