Sentimental Value (Norwegian: Affeksjonsverdi) is a 2025 Norwegian–European comedy-drama directed and co-written by Joachim Trier, alongside longtime collaborator Eskil Vogt. The film stars Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning, and delves into the complicated emotional terrain of a fractured family forced to confront its past.
The story follows two estranged sisters, Nora (Reinsve), a neurotic stage actress, and Agnes (Lilleaas), a therapist, who are reunited with their long-absent father Gustav Borg (Skarsgård), a once-celebrated filmmaker seeking a creative comeback. When Gustav casts an American star, Rachel Kemp (Fanning), in a film inspired by their family’s history, old wounds and resentments resurface.
The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix, and is distributed internationally by NEON.
Sentimental Value Age Rating
Sentimental Value film’s content and tone suggest that it is best suited for viewers aged 16 and older. The film contains mature themes, strong emotional confrontations, occasional coarse language, and brief scenes of nudity or intimacy.
Parents should expect a sophisticated, dialogue-driven drama that explores complex issues of family, creativity, and forgiveness — far removed from mainstream teen entertainment.
Violence & Peril
There is no graphic or physical violence in Sentimental Value. The intensity arises from emotional and psychological conflict rather than acts of aggression. Heated arguments, moments of breakdown, and strained family interactions create a tone of discomfort and tension. The film’s sense of “peril” comes from its raw emotional honesty rather than visual distress.
Language
The dialogue includes occasional coarse or strong language, reflecting adult frustration and artistic temperament. Swearing appears during confrontations between characters but is not pervasive. The film avoids slurs or hate speech, maintaining a naturalistic tone consistent with its dramatic realism.
Mature Themes
This film tackles deeply adult emotional material — including grief, estrangement, artistic exploitation, and the ethics of storytelling. There are brief scenes of nudity and sexual references, portrayed with restraint and artistic intention rather than explicitness.
Themes of abandonment, emotional manipulation, and intergenerational trauma form the core of the narrative. Younger audiences may find its slow pace and heavy tone challenging, while mature viewers will appreciate its psychological depth and moral ambiguity.
Is Sentimental Value Suitable for Teens?
Ages 13–15: Not recommended. The film’s pacing, sexual references, and emotionally charged subject matter are intended for adults. Younger teens may struggle to grasp the nuances or find the tone distressing.
Ages 16–17: With guidance. Mature teens who enjoy character-driven dramas can watch with parental supervision. Discussing its portrayal of art, family, and ethics afterward is recommended.
Ages 18+: Fully suitable. Adult audiences will find Sentimental Value a rewarding and layered exploration of family, art, and truth.
Final Recommendation: Sentimental Value is best suited for audiences aged 16 and up, particularly those interested in art-house or family relationship dramas.
What Parents Can Do
- Pre-watch the film to assess tone and pacing before showing it to older teens. Its emotional complexity may require context or discussion.
- Talk about artistic responsibility. The film raises questions about whether personal pain should be used for creative work.
- Discuss emotional health. Characters deal with grief, guilt, and manipulation — useful entry points for conversations about therapy and forgiveness.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age recommendation for Sentimental Value?
It is most appropriate for audiences aged 16 and up due to mature emotional themes, occasional coarse language, and brief nudity.
Q: Is Sentimental Value suitable for kids?
No. The film is intended for adults and older teens only. Children will find it too mature and dialogue-heavy.
Q: Does the film contain violence or scary scenes?
No physical violence or horror is shown, but emotional intensity and family conflict can be unsettling.
Q: Is there sexual content or nudity?
Yes, there are brief non-graphic scenes involving intimacy and partial nudity presented artistically, not explicitly.
Q: What kind of language is used?
Some coarse words appear during heated exchanges, but language is moderate overall.
Q: Where can I watch Sentimental Value?
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and will be distributed by NEON in the U.S., with a limited theatrical release in late 2025 before expanding to streaming platforms. Sentimental Value