Sentimental Value Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Sentimental Value Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 20, 2026

Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value" (2025) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include new program with Joachim Trier and filmmaker Mike Mills; several selected scene commentaries; recent documentary on the making of the film; deleted scenes; and more. In Norwegian and English, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Had Ingmar Bergman directed Sentimental Value, the end result almost certainly would have been a masterpiece. This film works with very good multi-layered material that Bergman would have managed differently to take full advantage of its potential, which is quite simply impossible to misjudge. However, as directed by fellow Scandinavian Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value is, at best, only an intriguing mosaic whose different pieces fail to come together and impress in a truly satisfying way.

In a quiet suburb of the Norwegian capital, the acclaimed film director Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgard), having spent decades living and building a career in neighboring Sweden, reappears for the passing of his former wife. After reconnecting with his two estranged daughters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), now grown women who have built their lives without him, Borg reveals that he is preparing a new semi-autobiographical film and wants the former, a talented stage actress, to take the lead part in it. Borg insists that no one else can do it right. However, Nora, who has been struggling with severe stage anxiety and panic attacks, turns down the offer. Shortly after, Borg casts the equally talented, eager to establish herself on the international stage, American actress Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning). However, Borg’s intention to shoot most of his film at the family’s ancestral home reopens old wounds, forcing everyone to then reexamine the broken family’s imperfect past.

Sentimental Value is well over two hours long. It is broken into multiple episodes, overlapping current and past events to provide a complete picture of the Borg family history. In this complete picture, the ancestral home quickly emerges as a key character as well.

After the very promising first episode, which rather brilliantly visualizes the destructive effects of stage fright, Trier’s direction unfortunately becomes too introverted, leaving the impression that the good acting before his camera is used only to meet elusive unconventional expectations, largely unrelated to the Borg family history, or serve as some sort of unusual intellectual therapy. The narration remains distant, the conversations are too sterile, and the visuals routinely drag. Unsurprisingly, plenty of material looks and feels almost unbearably artificial.

The episodes that feel most mismanaged are the ones where the ripple effects of the casting of the American actress begin to emerge. These ripple effects are supposed to expose plenty more, expanding and enriching the drama, allowing the audience to identify elements of it that should make it relatable. However, they have the opposite effect. The past and present of the Borg family remain only observable events, preparing for an entirely predictable finale.

In its current form, Sentimental Value is impossible to describe as anything other than a frustrating film. It features quality acting with polished visuals, but the two do not merge properly to produce an engaging film. Viewing the Borg family reexamining its past and healing the scars left by its collapse is a lot like enduring a long therapy session, awkwardly dramatized and promoted as a feature film.

Sentimental Value Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Sentimental Value arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

I viewed approximately half of Sentimental Value on 4K Blu-ray and the rest on this Blu-ray. On my system, both presentations looked spectacular. If I did not know which disc was in my player, I think it would have been quite difficult to identify whether most of the darker material is in native 4K or 1080p resolution. This is how strong the 4K master is, which shouldn't be surprising because Sentimental Value was completed in 2025. Colors are natural and very lush, but never feel overwhelming. Image stability is outstanding. I did not notice any encoding anomalies to report in our review. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Sentimental Value Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one one standard audio track on this release: Norwegian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (with small portions of English). Optional English and English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed approximately half of Sentimental Value on 4K Blu-ray and the the rest on Blu-ray. The comments below are from our review of the combo pack release.

There are plenty of subdued and quiet moments throughout the film. Music is used in a few places, but it does not create any memorable dynamic contrasts. All exchanges are very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. I did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review.

Sentimental Value Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Joachim Trier and Mike Mills - in this recent program, Joachim Trier discusses the conception and production of Sentimental Value with filmmaker Mike Mills. The program was produced in 2025. In English, not subtitled. (48 min).

• Selected Scene Commentaries - the following selected scene commentaries were recorded in 2025:
  
  1. Joachim Trier and co-writer Eskil Vogt.
  2. Production designer Jorgen Stangebye Lrsen. (12 min).
  3. Sound designer Gisle Tveito. (16 min).

• The Cast of Sentimental Value - in this documentary, several cast members recall their collaboration with Joachim Trier on Sentimental Value. In English, not subtitled. (32 min).

• Deleted Scenes - in Norwegian and English, with English subtitles where necessary. (12 min).
  
  1. Arriving in Deauville
  2. The Last of its Species
  3. The Theater Manager
  4. Nora's Montage
  5. The Boy and the Rock

• Trailer - an original U.S. trailer for Sentimental Value from Neon. In Norwegian and English, with English subtitles. (3 min).

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic Karl Ove Knausgard, as well as technical credits.

Sentimental Value Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Several decades ago, Ingmar Bergman almost certainly would have produced a masterpiece with the same material. Joachim Trier's management of this material is frustrating because it makes its characters look like trained participants in a two-hour long dramatized therapy session. Needless to say, Sentimental Value is exactly the type of introverted arty film that would impress the festival crowds and disappoint everyone else. Criterion's combo pack brings equally outstanding presentations of the film on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. Sentimental Value is also made available on 4K Blu-ray in this combo pack release.