Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which made waves at the Cannes Film Festival and secured the prestigious Grand Prix award, is now set for a theatrical release this November. The film will open in limited theaters on November 7 and continue its run through the Thanksgiving period, positioning itself strategically for awards season contention, particularly the Oscars. Distributed by Neon, the studio is planning an aggressive campaign following the film’s warm reception at Cannes, where critics praised its emotional depth and nuanced storytelling.
Neon, which has become a consistent player in the awards circuit, had a particularly strong presence at Cannes this year. Alongside Sentimental Value, the studio secured the North American rights for The Secret Agent and Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident, the latter of which walked away with the Palme d’Or. The acquisitions reflect Neon’s sharp eye for globally resonant cinema with award-season potential.
Sentimental Value centers around the complex dynamics of a fractured family in the world of film and theater. The narrative follows two sisters, Nora and Agnes, as they reconnect with their estranged father Gustav, a former celebrated director hoping to reignite his career. Gustav offers Nora, a stage actress, the lead in his comeback film. However, when she declines, he casts a young Hollywood starlet instead, creating emotional tension and professional rivalry. The film explores themes of artistic legacy, familial estrangement, and the painful intersections of ambition and belonging.
The film’s cast adds another layer of gravitas, featuring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning, Cory Michael Smith, and Anders Danielsen Lie. Their performances are expected to anchor the film’s intimate emotional beats, particularly Reinsve, who previously earned widespread acclaim in Trier’s The Worst Person in the World.
Neon’s recent track record speaks volumes. The studio backed Anora, which dominated the 2025 Oscars, and also brought The Worst Person in the World to the Academy Awards with nominations for Best International Feature and Best Original Screenplay. Notably, Neon was behind Parasite, which made history with its Best Picture win. With this pedigree, Sentimental Value is already shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated and potentially decorated releases.
