Sentimental Value

One of the most emotionally charged films of the year is also one of the most rewarding. Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value might appear to be another backstage drama about filmmaking that becomes meta, but at its core is an emotionally rich family drama with some touches of humor along the way. Trier, a Norwegian director who is celebrated for his Oslo trilogy that consists of Reprise, Oslo, August 31st, and the widely celebrated The Worst Person in the World, has now found his greatest accomplishment to date. That might sound like an overstatement at the moment, considering just how revered his Oslo trilogy is, and he also made an American film with Louder than Bombs, and Trier has dived into horror genre terrain as well with Thelma (2017).

Renate Reinsve, the protagonist of the story—who we don’t see in some long stretches of the film—plays a stage and television actress named Nora Bor. Nora is a very skillful actress on stage who has certainly prioritized her career throughout her adult life. Nora is also going through grief, in which she reconnects with her estranged sister Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) after their mother passes away. Nora is also the inhabitant of the family home in Oslo. Agnes also has acting experience; she hasn’t acted since her childhood, and she was the star of her and Nora’s estranged father’s prestigious WWII film. Stellan Skarsgard delivers an award-winning performance here as Gustav Borg, a celebrated film director. Gustav has just completed his latest screenplay, and it’s very autobiographical about their family. Gustav makes a surprise visit to Nora, and he pitches the story to her, who has no interest in acting in his movies whatsoever. She still holds a lot of resentment for his abandonment and his self-absorbed ways throughout her life. They part ways, with Nora continuing to work on stage plays while Gustav stays in touch with Agnes, who is more connected to their estranged father.

Courtesy Neon

At the same time, studios and producers take an interest in Gustav’s return to the big screen. It’s been 10 years since he directed a film. He ends up encountering Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning), a famous American actress who attends a retrospective screening of Gustav’s film at a film festival in France. Gustav ends up offering the role he wrote for Nora to Rachel, and she ends up taking the role for his upcoming film. Trier sprinkles in an array of many other small supporting roles involving Jesper Christensen as Michael, Gustav’s producer, who ends up getting a Netflix deal for the film, and Lars Väringer as Peter, Gustav’s retired cinematographer who Gustav ends up having reservations about him once he encounters him and notices just how much he shows his age after he complains about operating the camera. These brilliant exchanges may seem like they are continually calling attention to the idea of filmmaking and showbusiness, however, there are some emotional truths that run through them that prevent it from feeling like an insider film. One of the most heartbreaking moments in the film is the subplot involving Nora and her theater colleague Jakob that is played by Trier regular Anders Danielsen, who is a romantic interest once again. Jakob ends up growing distant from Nora, even soul-crushing, during a summer hike with other fellow colleagues after he rejects her from holding hands.

These moments in the film are key indicators that showcase first-rate performances that are career highs. The performances here by the cast bring emotional truths to the material, and it shows. In fact, the performances here by Reinsve, Skarsgaard, and Fanning are career-defining. They are all effortless with their nuance and subtlety. Especially Skarsgaard as Gustuv, as he proceeds unyieldingly during the process of his entire film, following the routine of being a film director, as if this is his swan song. The scenes he has with Fanning as Rachel during her rehearsals are heartbreaking for both characters. Rachel can’t seem to get it down, and Gustuv knows that only Nora can pull this role off, as it’s written solely for her. Is it good or bad that he has created another burden for everyone involved? Trier sees human complexity and the human condition so vividly. Eventually, decisions will have to be made, where past grievances must be addressed and confronted, perhaps even amended.

Courtesy Neon

Sentimental Value holds layered themes that are always intricate. It never gets bogged down with too much melodrama, and it never feels uneven; each character’s subplots are seamless and fleeting. Trier explores many elements in his framework here: What defines family? What defines acting and filmmaking? Is there a healing power to cinema? Why are families so intricate and complicated? Why are film directors so self-absorbed? What do we do to make amends? Why do some siblings forgive the pain their parents create more than others? In the film, it ponders a lot of questions, and Trier ignites the human drama throughout.

SENTIMENTAL VALUE IS NOW PLAYING IN LIMITED THEATERS, IT WILLL OPEN in METRO DETROIT ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28th, 2025