Fjord review: Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve star in a knotty, thoroughly engrossing drama

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Cristian Mungiu, a Romanian writer and director, previously won the top prize at Cannes—the Palme d’Or—nearly 20 years ago with his 2007 film, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. His latest film, Fjord, is already generating buzz and is considered a standout among the films competing for an award at this year’s festival, potentially putting him in contention for another major prize.

This compelling and thought-provoking film brings together Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan, both recently recognized with Oscar nominations, for a morally complex story. It’s a fascinating film that sparks discussion while also delivering a truly captivating dramatic experience.

Norwegian actress Andrea Reinsve and actor Sebastian Stan, previously seen together in the 2024 film A Different Man, star as Lisbet and Mihai Gheorghiu, a couple who have moved from Romania to a small village in Norway with their five young children.

Right from the start, there’s a strange feeling about this family. The movie opens with an unsettling scene: the oldest daughter, Elia, is told to hug her father as a form of punishment, but we never learn what she did wrong. This immediately creates a sense that something isn’t quite right.

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Mihai and Lisbet are a very religious and traditional couple, and they’ve raised their children with strict rules and values. They don’t allow things like dancing or watching YouTube, and their old-fashioned beliefs might clash with the more modern views of the country they recently moved to.

At first, the Gheorgius are welcomed by their friendly neighbors, though some harbor private doubts. The headteacher, a kind man, even asks his somewhat headstrong daughter to help the new family’s children settle into school.

Everything changes when a teacher notices concerning bruises on Elia during wrestling in gym class. They immediately contact Child Protective Services, and before anyone can react, all five children are removed from their parents’ care while authorities investigate possible abuse.

I found the scene with Lisbet and Mihai so unsettling. Mihai casually mentioned he used to spank his kids – he thought it was normal where he grew up – but the director, Mungiu, brilliantly leaves you guessing. Were those bruises really from their parents, or could they have come from something else, like roughhousing at school? It’s never explicitly stated, and that ambiguity really stuck with me.

This story is a compelling drama that raises difficult questions. Are Mihai and Lisbet actually being judged for what they’re accused of doing, or are they being targeted simply because their beliefs are different from those around them? Their children appear protective, but could that be because their parents have a somewhat unsettling amount of control over them?

Is it truly progressive to separate children from their parents just because we disapprove of their upbringing or beliefs, especially when no crime has been proven? This is a critical question to consider.

The lengthy trial scenes, reminiscent of the recent film Anatomy of a Fall, are just as captivating. Director Mungiu uses realistic dialogue and a subtle visual style – favoring long shots and thoughtful camera placement – to fully immerse viewers in the details of the case.

The film strikes the perfect balance in tone, being quirky enough to create unease without becoming overly strange. The actors, particularly Reinsve and Stan, deliver smart performances, portraying their characters as complex individuals rather than villains. Even though we might disagree with their choices as parents or people, we can still understand and feel for what they’re going through.

This is a fascinating and thought-provoking story about cultural clashes, presented in a way that sparks debate without resorting to exaggeration.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about movies for TopMob, covering both theatrical releases and streaming titles. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed a wide variety of films.

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2026-05-19 15:06