Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value is a profound family story that focuses on genuine emotions and psychological nuance. At its center are Nora and her sister Agnes, who, after the death of their mother, are forced to confront their estranged father Gustav, a filmmaker. Their family home in Oslo emerges as both a physical setting and a symbolic repository of memories and wounds. Gustav, meanwhile, contemplates immortalizing this space in his new film.

With great sensitivity, Trier explores traumas passed down through generations without overwhelming the audience with excessive sentimentality. The screenplay shows how love and anger can coexist within a family, and it also probes the ethical boundaries of art’s capacity for catharsis. The inclusion of a Hollywood star, played by Elle Fanning, brings an outsider into the family drama, someone who mirrors Nora while also offering a different perspective on her. In this way, the film interrogates performance, legacy, and authenticity.

What makes Sentimental Value truly moving is its generosity and honesty. It does not force reconciliation but rather suggests that the simple act of understanding may itself be healing. Thought- provoking and patient, the film embraces flawed humanity with tenderness.

Cannes 2025

Grand Prix