The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has just crowned its emotional centerpiece: Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value.” This film, which premiered to a thunderous 19-minute standing ovation, is already being hailed as the best movie at Cannes this year and possibly the peak of Trier’s acclaimed career. The Sentimental Value review Cannes buzz is everywhere, with critics and festival-goers captivated by its raw, layered family drama and the powerhouse performances at its core.
Sentimental Value Review Cannes: The Most Talked-About Premiere
The atmosphere at Cannes was electric as “Sentimental Value” unspooled for the first time. The film stars Renate Reinsve, who previously won Best Actress at Cannes for “The Worst Person in the World,” and Stellan Skarsgård, whose portrayal of Gustav—a self-absorbed, long-absent director—anchors the film’s emotional turbulence. Elle Fanning and Inga Ilbsdotter Lilleaas round out a cast that brings Trier’s vision to life with remarkable nuance.
Critics are calling “Sentimental Value” a breathtaking meditation on grief, forgiveness, and the tangled legacy of family. The story follows Nora (Reinsve) and Agnes (Lilleaas) as they mourn their mother’s death. Their father Gustav, who left them years ago to pursue his career, suddenly reappears. He brings a screenplay, hoping to shoot his comeback film in the family’s ancestral home—with Nora in the lead. This act, which some see as ancestor worship and others as egomania, sets off a reckoning that is both painful and cathartic.
Sentimental Value Review Cannes: A Family Drama That Cuts Deep
Why is “Sentimental Value” dominating headlines at Cannes?
- Unmatched Emotional Depth: Trier’s script, co-written with Eskil Vogt, refuses easy sentimentality. Instead, it delivers a story that feels lived-in, with every line and gesture carrying the weight of years of unresolved hurt and longing.
- Stellan Skarsgård’s Tour de Force: As Gustav, Skarsgård is both magnetic and infuriating—a man desperate to reconnect with his daughters but unable to see past his own myth-making. His performance is being singled out as a career highlight.
- Renate Reinsve’s Subtle Brilliance: Reinsve brings a Diane Keaton-like charm, but with an edge that can turn from joy to sorrow in a heartbeat. Her chemistry with Lilleaas, who plays the wise and empathetic Agnes, grounds the film’s more operatic moments.
- Elle Fanning’s Outsider Perspective: As Rachel Kemp, a Hollywood star brought in to replace Nora, Fanning’s character finds herself caught in a real-life family drama that is far more complicated than any script.
Key Themes and Standout Moments
| Theme | How It’s Explored in the Film |
|---|---|
| Family & Forgiveness | Gustav’s attempt to heal old wounds by making a film with Nora |
| Self-Mythologizing | Gustav’s screenplay blurs the line between art and real life |
| Grief & Loss | The sisters’ mourning is complicated by their father’s return |
| Art as Therapy | The film-within-the-film mirrors the characters’ emotional arcs |
The Sentimental Value review Cannes conversation often circles back to the film’s refusal to offer easy answers. Gustav’s motives remain ambiguous: Is he seeking redemption, or simply using his family for another shot at glory? Trier invites viewers to decide for themselves, making the experience all the more resonant.
Sentimental Value Review Cannes: What Sets It Apart?
- Critical Acclaim: Multiple reviewers have declared it the best film of the festival, and possibly Trier’s finest work to date.
- Ovation and Audience Response: The 19-minute standing ovation is already legendary, signaling a rare consensus among critics and audiences.
- Release Date: The film is set for wide release on August 20, 2025, and is expected to be a major contender in the upcoming awards season.
Sentimental Value review Cannes: Skarsgård’s Gustav—Egomaniac or Visionary?
Trier’s film raises provocative questions about the limits of artistic ambition. Gustav’s decision to cast his daughter in a film about their own family history can be seen as an act of ancestor worship, but it’s also a risky, self-serving gambit. When Nora refuses, Gustav turns to a Hollywood actress, further blurring the lines between personal healing and professional self-interest.
Agnes, the younger sister, emerges as the film’s moral compass. Her empathy and wisdom provide a counterbalance to Nora’s vulnerability and Gustav’s narcissism. The dynamic between the sisters is as compelling as the central father-daughter conflict, making the film a true ensemble piece.
Sentimental Value Review Cannes: The Verdict
- “Sentimental Value” is not just another family melodrama. It’s a film that lingers, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships and the stories we tell about our past.
- The performances are uniformly excellent, but Skarsgård’s Gustav will likely be the character audiences remember—and debate—long after the credits roll.
- Trier’s direction is assured and understated, allowing the emotional truths of the story to emerge gradually, with a final act that delivers one of the most satisfying resolutions seen at Cannes in years.
Why “Sentimental Value” Is a Must-Watch
If you love cinema that challenges, moves, and surprises, “Sentimental Value” is essential viewing. Its Cannes debut has set the stage for a global conversation about art, family, and the price of reconciliation. The Sentimental Value review Cannes consensus is clear: this is the film everyone will be talking about in 2025.
Ready to experience the most powerful film of Cannes 2025? Mark your calendar for August 20 and join the conversation about “Sentimental Value.” Leave a comment below—what are your thoughts on Gustav’s motives and Trier’s latest masterpiece?