Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value’ Redefines Family Drama With Honesty

Joachim Trier’s latest feature, ‘Sentimental Value,’ may sound like it ’s headed for emotional overload, but the Norwegian director skillfully steers clear of syrupy melodrama. Instead, he crafts a film that’s both sharply honest and unexpectedly funny, exploring the tangled dynamics of a family trying to reconnect after years of distance. Following the success of his previous comedy- drama, Trier reunites with Renate Reinsve, who takes on the role of Nora, an actress paralyzed by stage fright. Stellan Skarsgård plays her estranged father, Gustav, an avant-garde filmmaker who left the country when Nora and her sister, Agnes, were still children. Nora’s resentment runs deep, and when Gustav returns after their mother ’s death, she’s forced to confront him as an adult.

What could have easily turned into a sentimental tale of reconciliation is anything but. Trier’s script is sharp, real, and laced with humor, guiding the cast through performances that feel both raw and relatable. The film’s most powerful moments aren’t loud arguments or grand gestures, but the quiet, intimate exchanges that ring true for anyone who’s ever struggled with family. In one particularly moving scene, Nora asks Agnes why she didn’t end up as “fucked up” as she did. Agnes replies,

“Because I had you.”

The sisters embrace, sharing their grief in silence—a moment that captures the film’s honest approach to pain and healing.

Family Ties and Unspoken Wounds

Skarsgård’s portrayal of Gustav is anything but one-dimensional. He’s frustrating, touching, and at times, downright baffling. Unable to communicate directly, Gustav hands Nora a script, hoping she’ll play the lead in a story that blurs the lines between his mother’s traumatic past and his own attempts to reach out to his daughter. When Nora refuses, he brings in an American actress, Rachel (Elle Fanning), to take on the role. Rachel dyes her hair brown and tries to step into Nora’s shoes, but she can’t quite capture the depth needed for the part. The screenplay becomes a bridge between Gustav and Nora, a way for them to connect if only they’d let themselves.

The film asks whether art can help us process trauma and communicate when words fail. Trier suggests that while art can’t fix everything, it can open doors to understanding—if we’re willing to accept it. The healing is slow and uncertain, but it’s there, woven into the fabric of their interactions.

The Power of Art and Performance

Art, and especially performance, is at the heart of Trier’s story. Through the act of reading, rehearsing, and performing Gustav’s words, Nora and her father begin to see each other in new ways. The script becomes a mirror, reflecting their pain and longing back at them, and slowly, they inch closer to real connection. The family home itself becomes a character, filled with memories and charm, yet never slipping into nostalgia. The opening sequence sets the tone—fast-paced, funny, and full of life.

Even the film’s quieter moments, like Gustav teaching his grandson how to shoot a video on a phone or gifting him DVDs of ‘The Piano Teacher’ and ‘Irreversible,’ add layers of humor and humanity. These scenes don’t always drive the plot, but they paint a vivid picture of a family trying to make sense of their shared history. ‘Sentimental Value’ is a tapestry of heartbreak and laughter, capturing the messy beauty of family life with rare honesty.