Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value’ Secures Nine Oscar Nods, Director Praises ‘Greatest of Our Generation’

Joachim Trier’s critically acclaimed Norwegian drama, Sentimental Value, has received a remarkable nine Oscar nominations for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, including highly coveted nods for Best Picture and Best Director. This historic achievement underscores a growing recognition of international cinema on the global stage, with Trier expressing profound joy and pride for his cast and crew following the announcement.

The film’s impressive tally of nine nominations places it among the top contenders, trailing only a few Hollywood heavyweights. Beyond Best Picture and Best Director, Trier’s sixth feature earned nominations for Best Actress (Renate Reinsve), Best Supporting Actress (Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgård), Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay (shared with writing-producing partner Eskil Vogt), and Best International Feature. This widespread recognition for a non-English language film is particularly significant, cementing Trier’s reputation as a director with substantial crossover appeal, akin to Bong Joon Ho.

A Director’s Delight and Historic Achievements

In his first interview since the nominations, Trier shared his excitement with The Hollywood Reporter, reflecting on a lifelong dream. As a third-generation filmmaker, the Oscars have always been a part of his family’s tradition, though typically with a focus on the international category. This year, however, proved ‘remarkable’ with the film’s broad recognition across categories. He expressed particular delight for his cast, highlighting Elle Fanning’s prolific career and the intelligence she brought to the film, alongside Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas’s moving performance. Trier also lauded Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve, stating the roles were specifically written for them, praising their bravery and vulnerability in taking a ‘leap of faith’ with the project.

A notable historic moment stems from Stellan Skarsgård’s Best Supporting Actor nomination, marking his first Oscar nod and making him the first actor in a non-English language film to be nominated in this category. This year also sets a new record with four Oscar-nominated performances not in the English language, including Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent. Trier himself, despite his previous film The Worst Person in the World earning two nominations, was genuinely surprised by his Best Director nod, considering it a ‘win already’ to be included among his respected peers.

The Narrative and Critical Acclaim

Sentimental Value, which currently boasts a near-perfect 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, delves into complex family dynamics. The story follows two estranged sisters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), as they reunite with their father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a famous director. Gustav attempts to mend his broken relationships by offering Nora a role in his newest film, which directly reflects his struggles to connect with his children. Hollywood star Rachel (Elle Fanning) is cast as one of the sisters in Gustav’s cinematic endeavor, adding another layer to the meta-narrative. Director Trier described the film’s thematic balancing act as ‘super complicated,’ emphasizing the importance of its ending in an interview with IndieWire.

The film’s journey to the Oscars began with its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, which continues to reaffirm its position as a premier launchpad for international titles. Sentimental Value is one of two non-English language films, alongside Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, to secure a Best Picture nomination this year, making them the 12th and 13th films to achieve this dual recognition. This feat is particularly noteworthy, given that only Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite has managed to win both Best International Feature Film and Best Picture.

Availability and Campaign Trail

For audiences eager to experience Sentimental Value, availability varies by region. In the US, the film is already accessible for purchase or rent on digital platforms like Prime Video and AppleTV. A streaming debut on Hulu is anticipated around May 2026, approximately six months after its theatrical release by Neon. In the UK, the film was released in cinemas on Boxing Day and is still playing in independent venues. A streaming release on MUBI is expected in early-to-mid March, potentially coinciding with the Oscars, as MUBI typically makes its releases available just over two months after their cinematic debut. With the 98th Academy Awards scheduled for Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Trier and his team are preparing for a bustling campaign season of dinners, luncheons, and events. Despite the demanding schedule, Trier, having been nominated before with Eskil Vogt, looks forward to the opportunity to connect with colleagues and discuss cinema.

Trier also took a moment to praise a fellow Best Director nominee, Paul Thomas Anderson, calling him ‘maybe the greatest director of our generation’ for his film One Battle After Another, which also received multiple nominations. The Norwegian filmmaker highlighted Anderson’s ensemble cast’s ‘great variety of amazing performances’ and expressed pride in traveling alongside such a distinguished work.

The widespread success of films like Sentimental Value at the Oscars signifies a pivotal shift in the Academy’s embrace of global cinema, moving beyond the traditional ‘International Feature Film’ category to acknowledge artistic excellence across all major awards, thereby enriching the landscape of mainstream film recognition.