American Dreamer Soundtrack: American Dreamer had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11, 2022, and Vertical Entertainment released it theatrically in the United States on March 8, 2024, followed by digital and streaming release. The film is directed by Paul Dektor (his feature directorial debut) — not “Paul Doctor,” a misspelling in earlier coverage — and written by Theodore Melfi. It stars Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Matt Dillon, Danny Glover, Danny Pudi, Kimberly Quinn, and Michelle Mylett.
Quick Facts
| Title | American Dreamer |
| Genre/Type | Black comedy, Drama |
| Director | Paul Dektor |
| Composer | Jeff Russo |
| Release Date | Tribeca premiere June 11, 2022; U.S. theatrical/digital release March 8, 2024 |
| Distributor | Vertical Entertainment |
| Status | Released — available on digital/VOD platforms |
Who Composed American Dreamer Soundtrack?
Jeff Russo is an American musician, songwriter, guitarist, singer, and music producer who composed the original score for American Dreamer.
He is also a founding member of the acoustic rock band Low Stars. Some of Jeff’s notable works are Snowfall, Fargo, Legion, and Counterpart, as well as the Star Trek series Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and For All Mankind (TV series). Russo was announced as the film’s composer while it was still in production in 2022, ahead of the film’s eventual 2024 theatrical release. No standalone soundtrack or score album for American Dreamer has been released as of this writing; the score exists only within the film itself.
Trailer Song
- “Pixie Pizzicato” by Elegy Music: This track (fast neo-classical/intriguing drama music) is part of the album Delirium, released by Elegy Music in 2021, and is featured in the movie’s official trailer.
No wider tracklist has been confirmed or released for this film, so we have not fabricated additional song listings here — check back and we will update this page if a fuller soundtrack surfaces.
Where to Stream
The “Pixie Pizzicato” trailer cue is available on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud. American Dreamer itself is available to rent or buy on digital platforms including Apple TV and Amazon.
Cast & Story
The film is based on a true story from Chicago Public Radio’s This American Life, which tells the story of a man named Phil Loder (Peter Dinklage), a low-paid economics professor whose one goal is to achieve home ownership, a dream that seems out of reach for his budget. He makes a deal with Astrid Finley (Shirley MacLaine), a wealthy, lonely widow, to inherit her mansion after her death — only to find that “after her death” may be a very long wait. The cast includes Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Matt Dillon, Danny Glover, Danny Pudi, Kimberly Quinn, and Michelle Mylett.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the American Dreamer score?
Jeff Russo, known for Fargo, Legion, Snowfall, Counterpart, and the modern Star Trek series (Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds), composed the original score.
Who directed American Dreamer?
Paul Dektor directed the film in his feature directorial debut; it is written by Theodore Melfi.
Is American Dreamer based on a true story?
Yes. It is inspired by a segment from Chicago Public Radio’s This American Life about a man who makes a reverse-mortgage-style deal to inherit an elderly widow’s estate.
Is there a released American Dreamer soundtrack album?
No standalone score or soundtrack album has been released. The only confirmed music cue outside the film’s own score is the trailer track “Pixie Pizzicato” by Elegy Music.
Where can I watch American Dreamer?
American Dreamer is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms following its March 2024 theatrical release via Vertical Entertainment.
Related reading: Movie Soundtrack hub | Streaming hub