Sentimental Value is an intimate film—one that takes its time unraveling a beautifully messy picture. The film is a twisted web of themes and emotions, yet Joachim Trier’s vision remains clear and focused. He directs the film with precision, navigating the story’s complexities with care.
The premise centers on Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgård), an estranged father and respected filmmaker, who attempts to reconnect with his daughters—Agnes (Inga Lilleaas) and actress Nora (Renate Reinsve). Gustav pitches a screenplay to Nora claiming he wrote it with her in mind. When she refuses, he turns to American actress Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning) to make his vision a reality.
From that point onward, the film flourishes into breathtaking territory. It’s about fractured relationships, generational trauma, and the power of art. Much of the runtime observes the process of filmmaking itself—a subject that naturally fascinates me. I’m also a sucker for character-driven dramas, especially those that explore familiar themes, so it’s no surprise Sentimental Value is right up my alley. Still, I can understand the concern that the film might lean too self-serious, but thankfully, that isn’t the case. While serious in tone, Trier sprinkles in humor and lightheartedness, creating a balanced and sustainable viewing experience.
A large portion of the comedy comes from Stellan Skarsgård, who gives perhaps his best performance in this film. It’s a career-defining role—the kind he’ll be remembered for. His character is a difficult one to pin down; he can be self-centered and a terrible father, yet he’s also regretful for his mistakes and seemingly trying to do better. You also can’t help but smile watching him goof around with his grandson. First and foremost, though, he’s an artist—and a tremendous one at that. For all his personal flaws, he’s still able to connect with people through art. But is that enough? That’s the question the film asks, and it’s a fascinating one.
Renate Reinsve delivers an emotional powerhouse of a performance as the film’s lead. She’s what holds the film together, despite my slight preference for Skarsgård’s performance. Quite simply, the film wouldn’t work without her. Her character is deeply troubled, yet incredibly strong. As the story progresses, we learn more and more about her, and by the end, you just want to give her a hug. The relationship between Reinsve’s character and her sister, played by Inga Lilleaas, is one of the film’s many highlights. There’s nothing quite like a well-written sibling relationship.
Elle Fanning also plays a part in Sentimental Value, and in my opinion, she’s a show-stealer. Her presence brings a much-needed burst of energy to the film without ever feeling overbearing or out of place. Fanning’s character strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted charm and emotional sincerity.
Now that I’ve talked about the main human characters, I’d like to shift focus to a different—but equally important—character: the setting. The film opens with narration from a character imagining life from the perspective of the family’s house. This ties into one of the film’s central themes—how a single place can play a part in different people’s identities. The house remains a focal point throughout, almost like the glue holding our characters’ lives together. I won’t pretend to understand every nuance or metaphor Trier presents here, but I’m certainly intrigued by all of it.
When I call the setting a character, I’m not only talking about location, but also the time in which we exist. One thing I love about Joachim Trier is his ability to create timeless films that still feel very much of the present. In Sentimental Value, characters talk about Netflix, about films going straight to streaming instead of theaters, and even about TikTok. Rarely do filmmakers embrace the present so openly, but I love that Trier does.
On a technical level, Sentimental Value excels in every regard. Trier’s direction is methodical, the color palette is rich, the cinematography is dynamic, and the score is gorgeous. The soundtrack, too, is a standout—integrated wonderfully throughout. It’s one of those films where you can feel every department working in harmony toward a shared vision.
I could go on and on about what I love here: the language shifts, the poetic yet believable writing, the patient pacing, the unconventional structure that moves between perspectives. I especially adore how the film occasionally blurs the line between art and reality—like Perfect Blue or Inland Empire, just less horrifying. There’s so much to love about this film, and I’m sure the longer it sits with me, the more I’ll have to say.
Sentimental Value is, in my mind, a masterpiece—a triumphant piece of filmmaking that invites endless conversation. It’s as tragic as it is hopeful, as refined as it is messy. I’ve said so much, yet I feel at a loss for words. I’m not a religious man, but thank God for cinema.
Sentimental Value is released in UK cinemas on Boxing Day.
Liam Kinghorn (born January 26 2005) is a Finnish filmmaker, film critic, and social media content creator. He began posting film-related content on social media at the age of 14. At the age of 17, he released his first ever short film, Fear and Ambition. Kinghorn’s films often explore themes of loneliness and despair.
TikTok: @theliamkinghorn, Letterboxd: @kinghorn, YouTube: @theliamkinghorn, Instagram: @kinghorncinema & @theliamkinghorn
