The Wasteland Reviewer

Sentimental Value (2025) Written Review

The theme for this awards season is certainly the healing power of art, isn’t it? Some of the biggest awards front runners this fall season have a deep connection to art and how art helps humans heal. Joachim Trier returns to the awards spotlight and North America with a new drama starring his muse of The Worst Person in the World, Renate Reinsve. Sentimental Value explores deeply human themes like family, memories, and the power of art. Reinsve’s Nora is a young actor grieving the loss of her mother, exploring her traumatic past, overcoming the effects of this, and attempting to reconnect with her estranged and renowned father (Stellan Skarsgard). This Norwegian film drops audiences into a family home that remembers all and is slowly cracking under the weight of its faulting foundations. 

How does Trier approach such relatable themes and deep human conflict in Sentimental Value? This is not a film that delivers a tone or atmosphere that most western audiences will be familiar with. Trier’s approach is a bit more distant and more grounded than many dramas you might expect on this side of the world. A distinct lack of melodrama and big emotion defines Sentimental Value as a deeply introspective and subtle cinematic experience. Trier fully realizes this approach with his steady hand at the reins of Sentimental Value. From the beginning of the film, the audience is introduced to an interesting storytelling layer as Nora’s old essay from the perspective of their family home takes a life of its own and becomes a narrator of sorts that navigates the audience through the tumultuous history of this family. A clever and unique element, Trier does not intend on just delivering a straightforward and simple exploration of these relatable and familiar themes. The camera is voyeuristic in a way that explores the story of Nora and her family in such an engrossing and engaging way. Kasper Tuxen (cinematographer) assists Trier in crafting a grounded and raw cinematic experience. There are no flashy elements here but there is plenty of confidence in the artistic expression. Hania Rani emotive score is the perfect flourish to the experience as well. 

Does Sentimental Value offer up a compelling and engrossing story to match? There are certainly moments that feel like they drag a tad or just don’t connect with the audience as deeply (the runtime creeps over that two hour mark a bit too far). Most importantly though, Trier offers up a compelling thematic foundation that gives the central familial conflict a rich bed to flourish in. The flashback mechanism from the perspective of the house is such a compelling and fresh twist that it fits perfectly in a story about such artistic types. Nora is an insecure and depressed individual who has plenty of growth to achieve and Trier delivers that right story to allow her to achieve this while engaging the audience. Nora’s story explores some serious themes in such a powerful and grounded way. Her relationship with her sister, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas’ Agnes, is one of the most beautiful dynamics in film this year. Trier delivers some truly impactful moments of sisterhood throughout the film. Skarsgard’s Gustav goes on his own journey of seeing his career take an unexpected turn as he is paired up with a gorgeous and talented young American actor (portrayed by Elle Fanning). But the parallel journey of healing that Nora and Gustav go on is the heart and soul of Sentimental Value. This is a deeply human story with plenty of authentic and engrossing dramatic elements, realized so profoundly by Trier. 

How does the cast explore this rich tapestry of humanity created by Trier? Reinsve is one of the most under-appreciated actors working today with Sentimental Value acting as the backend of her one-two punch of a coming-out-party. Reinsve does act big but the amount of emotion and authenticity she brings is quite impressive. The cast is deeply authentic and genuine, giving Sentimental Value such a beautiful experience. Reinsve shines in an early scene of her anxiety taking the wheel when she should be performing on the stage. The final scene of the film gives Reinsve the space to deliver such a layered, subtle, rich performance that ties the thematic threads of the film together. Skarsgard is known for his bigger and more boisterous performances, but Gustav is a character with plenty of silent intensity. There are moments when Skarsgard gets bigger but most of the film is a shining example of his artistic range as an actor. He does need to scream or yell or roar to deliver an affecting, layered, and intense performance. Ibsdotter Lilleaas is great as well with her great chemistry with Reinsve and some strong genuine emotion. Fanning is not the biggest part of the film, but she portrays this foreign element in the story so perfectly as she navigates an unexpected space. 

Does Trier have another international hit and awards darling on his hands? Sentimental Value will certainly make a splash this season on the back of its impressive depth and range of quality. The cast is pitch perfect all around with Reinsve and Skarsgard leading the way with two refined and poignant performances. Trier’s approach is rich in emotion, deep in themes, and engrossing in its storytelling. The film’s central theme of art as a healing agent is only reinforced by how well Trier delivers upon that with Sentimental Value.