Sentimental Value: A Thoughtful, Slowly Unfurling Family Drama That Rewards Patience

Sentimental Value (2025)

Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier and co-written with Eskil Vogt, is a deeply reflective Norwegian drama that places family dynamics, memory, and art at the center of its emotional inquiry. It’s a film that leans into conversation, nuance, and performance rather than spectacle — and for many viewers, that’s both its biggest strength and its greatest frustration.

What Works Well

Nuanced Character Work & Performances

At the heart of the film is Nora (Renate Reinsve), a successful but anxious stage actress whose fraught relationship with her estranged father Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård) drives much of the story. Reinsve delivers a subtle, layered performance that captures both fragility and defiance, while Skarsgård excels as the egocentric filmmaker whose charm often slips into thoughtless self-absorption. Their interactions — sometimes painful, sometimes awkwardly tender — feel lived-in and authentic. Supporting turns from Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas as Nora’s more grounded sister Agnes and Elle Fanning as a Hollywood actress add texture and contrast. 

Themes of Art, Memory & Legacy

The film takes its time exploring how creative expression intersects with personal history. Gustav’s insistence on making a film tied to his past — and his desire to cast Nora in it — becomes a metaphor for how art can both heal and reopen old wounds. Trier elegantly employs conversations, silences, and even small gestures (like a shared cigarette or an awkward birthday gift) to signal emotional truth without melodrama. 

High-Craft Cinematic Language

Cinematography and editing work quietly but effectively, giving weight to conversations and allowing spaces — the family home, the film set, the childhood landscape — to feel like characters in their own right. The film moves deliberately, building emotional momentum through subtle shifts rather than dramatic reveals. 

Critical Acclaim

The movie boasts a very high critical score (~97% on Rotten Tomatoes) and has been praised for its maturity, emotional depth, and assured direction. Many critics see it as a meditative and resonant work, examining universal themes of love, regret, and reconciliation. 

Rotten Tomatoes

Limitations & Criticisms

Slow Pacing & Structural Patience Required

A common critique — echoed in both professional reviews and audience responses — is the film’s deliberate, slow-burn pacing. The narrative doesn’t rush toward resolution; instead, it unfolds in a series of quiet, introspective chapters. Some viewers may find the first half especially meandering, with emotional payoffs arriving later than expected. 

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Emotional Distance for Some Audiences

While many appreciate the subtlety, others describe the film as chilly or emotionally distant. Critics at festivals like TIFF and some audience voices on social platforms argue that the film can feel too talky or restrained, requiring patience and emotional openness to fully engage. 

Familiar Terrain with a Specific Style

Thematically and tonally, Sentimental Value often recalls the work of filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman — introspective, dialogue-driven, and centered on interior life. While this is a draw for arthouse enthusiasts, it may feel less accessible to those seeking clearer narrative momentum or broader emotional peaks. 

Final Verdict

Sentimental Value is a richly crafted, deeply human drama about how families carry their pasts, express their pain, and sometimes find paths back to one another. Its strengths lie in performance, thematic depth, and emotional subtlety, making it a standout in auteur-driven cinema in 2025. But it isn’t a quick or conventional watch — its power grows through patience, reflection, and a willingness to sit with unresolved feelings.

Best for: viewers who appreciate introspective, character-driven films with strong acting and philosophical undertones.

Less ideal for: audiences expecting fast pacing, conventional plot arcs, or broad emotional gestures.

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