Nomadland (2020)

Last updated:
November 9, 2025

Nomadland (2020) is a poignant, deeply human road film written and directed by Chloé Zhao, based on the 2017 non-fiction book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder. The film stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a woman who becomes a modern-day nomad after losing everything in the Great Recession.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Fall of Empire, Nevada

The story begins in 2011, shortly after the economic collapse. The small company town of Empire, Nevada, has shut down completely following the closure of a U.S. Gypsum plant, leaving its residents jobless and homeless. Fern, who recently lost her husband Bo, decides to sell most of her belongings, pack up her van (named “Vanguard”), and hit the road in search of seasonal work and meaning.

Learning the Nomad Life

Fern takes a temporary job at an Amazon fulfillment center, where she meets Linda May, a friendly and resourceful woman who introduces her to the nomadic lifestyle. Linda invites Fern to join a gathering organized by Bob Wells, a real-life nomad who mentors people living off the grid. There, Fern learns practical skills — fixing tires, using a bucket toilet, and surviving harsh weather — but also gains philosophical insights about life, death, and freedom.

Encounters on the Road

Throughout her journey, Fern meets a series of fellow travelers, each with their own stories of loss and resilience.

Swankie, an older nomad battling cancer, becomes a close friend and role model.
Dave (played by David Strathairn), a gentle man with feelings for Fern, represents the possibility of settling down again.
Fern works a variety of temporary jobs — in a beet harvest, a campground, and a fast-food restaurant — but always ends up back on the road.

Loss and Reflection

When Swankie passes away, Fern attends a memorial where the nomads honor her by throwing rocks into a fire. This moment symbolizes acceptance of impermanence — a central theme of the film. Fern also reconnects with her sister, who offers her a place to stay, but Fern feels trapped by the comfort of conventional life and leaves again.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Fern visits Empire, Nevada, once more. The abandoned town is a ghost of its former self. She walks through her old house, touching objects that once made up her life with Bo. The sense of grief and nostalgia is overwhelming but cathartic.

Fern then drives out into the desert, continuing her journey — not because she is running away, but because she has embraced the transient life. She chooses freedom over stability, the open road over the security of walls.

This ending is beautifully ambiguous — it doesn’t promise happiness or closure, but it delivers peace. Fern isn’t searching for a new home anymore; she’s realized that home is the journey itself.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Nomadland does not have a post-credits scene. The credits roll over the natural sounds of the desert and soft ambient music, reinforcing the film’s meditative tone. The story ends when Fern drives away, leaving viewers with a sense of quiet reflection.

Type of Movie

Nomadland is a drama and road movie, blending elements of documentary realism with fictional storytelling. It’s contemplative, emotional, and grounded in real social issues, blurring the line between cinema and real life.

Cast

Frances McDormand as Fern
David Strathairn as Dave
Linda May as Herself
Swankie as Herself
Bob Wells as Himself

Notably, many of the people appearing in the movie are real nomads, not professional actors, adding authenticity to the story.

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Ludovico Einaudi, whose delicate piano pieces perfectly capture the film’s reflective, melancholic mood. His music underscores Fern’s solitude and the beauty of the landscapes without ever overwhelming the visuals.

Filming Locations

The movie was shot across seven U.S. states, including South Dakota, Nevada, Arizona, Nebraska, California, and Colorado.
Each location plays a symbolic role:

The Badlands of South Dakota represent harshness and resilience.
The Nevada desert symbolizes emptiness and rebirth.
The California coast embodies fleeting beauty and impermanence.

Chloé Zhao’s use of real locations (not sets) gives the film its documentary-like realism and breathtaking visuals.

Awards and Nominations

Nomadland was a critical triumph and a major awards-season success.

Won:

Academy Awards (Oscars) 2021: Best Picture, Best Director (Chloé Zhao), Best Actress (Frances McDormand)
Golden Globes: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director
BAFTA Awards: Best Film, Best Actress, Best Cinematography

Nominated:

Screen Actors Guild Awards
Critics’ Choice Awards

Behind the Scenes Insights

Chloé Zhao encouraged Frances McDormand to live like a nomad during filming, including sleeping in her van and working real shifts at Amazon.
Most supporting cast members were real nomads telling their true stories.
Many scenes were unscripted or improvised, filmed with natural light and minimal crew.
The film’s minimalist style was inspired by Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on Jessica Bruder’s non-fiction book, which chronicles real nomads who travel America in vans after the 2008 financial collapse.
Chloé Zhao took the book’s investigative framework and transformed it into an emotional, character-driven story about grief, resilience, and the meaning of “home.”

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no major alternate endings, but early edits included more scenes of Fern interacting with townspeople. Zhao later cut these to maintain focus on Fern’s solitude and connection with nature. Some extended scenes with Dave’s family were also removed to keep the pacing intimate and fluid.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the book focuses on the sociological and economic aspects of nomad life, the movie personalizes it through Fern’s emotional journey.
Key differences:

Fern is a fictional composite character, not based on one real person.
The book is journalistic and fact-driven; the movie is introspective and poetic.
The film’s tone leans toward hope and acceptance, while the book is more critical of economic inequality.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Fern’s first night alone in her van — cold, frightened, and uncertain.
The desert gathering where Bob Wells speaks about loss and the circle of life.
Swankie’s farewell message about living a full life before dying.
Fern walking through her empty house in Empire at the end.

Iconic Quotes

“I’m not homeless. I’m just houseless.”
“What’s remembered, lives.”
“See you down the road.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The license plate on Fern’s van (“ZB 2626”) is a nod to Zhao’s initials.
Bob Wells’ speech about seeing loved ones “down the road” was unscripted.
The real nomads’ stories are authentic; many of their lines are their own words.

Trivia

Frances McDormand personally pitched the film to Zhao after reading Bruder’s book.
Zhao edited the film herself on a laptop in her home.
McDormand’s real husband, Joel Coen, visited the set but did not interfere with production.
The van “Vanguard” was so central to the film that it was credited as a character in the end credits.

Why Watch?

Because Nomadland is not just a movie — it’s an experience. It’s quiet, soulful, and profoundly human. It challenges the idea of success, explores the cost of freedom, and celebrates the beauty of impermanence. If you’ve ever wondered what “home” truly means, this film will move you deeply.

Director’s Other Movies

Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015)
The Rider (2017)
Eternals (2021)

Nomadland (2020)