Nomadland

Description

Nomadland follows Fern, a woman in her sixties who is left adrift after the economic collapse of her small Nevada town and the death of her husband. With her home and community gone, she packs her few belongings into a modest van and sets off on the open road, embracing life as a modern-day nomad. As she travels through stunning yet desolate stretches of the American West, Fern takes on seasonal work to support herself, including a stint at an Amazon warehouse and various odd jobs that keep her afloat. Along the way, she meets a network of fellow travellers, many of whom are real-life nomads playing fictionalised versions of themselves, and their shared experiences form a loosely connected tapestry of hardship, hope, and dignity. Fern learns survival skills, listens to stories of loss and freedom, and forges fleeting but meaningful connections with others who have also been left behind by the traditional systems of society. Despite occasional offers of shelter and companionship, Fern remains quietly determined to chart her own course, clinging to her independence and the deep sense of solace she finds in movement and solitude. As the seasons change, the film gently explores themes of grief, economic displacement, and the quiet resilience of the human spirit. With its poetic visual style, naturalistic performances, and contemplative pacing, Nomadland paints a hauntingly beautiful portrait of a woman seeking not just a place to live, but a way to be.