Sentimental Value
The brief
Joachim Trier returns to his intimate family drama roots with another quietly devastating character study anchored by Renate Reinsve's razor-sharp performance as an actress watching her narcissistic father replay old patterns. Stellan Skarsgård is perfectly cast as the manipulative Gustav, a faded director whose every gesture screams "I'm the wounded artist here" while he destroys everyone around him. The film moves with Trier's signature deliberate pace, letting conversations simmer until they explode in ways that feel both inevitable and shocking. If you loved The Worst Person in the World or have complicated feelings about creative parents who weaponize their talent, this will wreck you in the best way.
The verdict
If you appreciate slow-burn family dramas with complex characters and have the patience for Joachim Trier's deliberate storytelling style, this is an emotionally devastating masterwork anchored by exceptional performances from Reinsve and Skarsgård. If you prefer faster-paced films or get frustrated by manipulative characters who never quite get their comeuppance, the 2+ hour runtime exploring toxic family dynamics will likely test your patience.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for deep emotional processing
- 👫 With anyone who has complicated creative parents
- ⚠️ Avoid if you're not ready for heavy family dysfunction
Heads up
- Emotional manipulation and narcissistic abuse (moderate)
- Family trauma and abandonment themes (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Joachim Trier
- Cast
- Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning, Andreas Stoltenberg Granerud, Øyvind Hesjedal Loven, Anders Danielsen Lie
Official synopsis
Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once-renowned director
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Both explore fractured family dynamics through characters confronting their past.
Total runtime: 2h 13m + 1h 29m = 3h 42m
