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Joachim Trier’s ‘Valor Sentimental’ Opens to Rave Reviews and Early Oscar Buzz

The Cannes Grand Prix winner channels a Bergman‑inflected Nordic family study that critics say deepens Trier’s exploration of memory and repair.

Overview

  • Now in theaters with a 133‑minute runtime, the NorwayFranceDenmarkGermany production stars Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning.
  • The story centers on two sisters and their largely absent filmmaker father who returns to shoot in the family home, with a Hollywood actress emerging as a potential lead after the daughter declines.
  • Reviews highlight a film‑within‑a‑film structure, the house treated as a character, layered timelines and themes of inherited trauma, drawing frequent comparisons to Bergman.
  • The film won Cannes’ Grand Prix, and multiple outlets predict 2026 Oscar contention, including Best International Feature and possibly the main Best Picture race.
  • Coverage notes that platform backing helped secure production after Fanning’s involvement, while interviews quote Skarsgård on balancing art and family and Fanning on resisting industry typecasting.