How a win for the delicate Sentimental Value would bring something totally fresh to the Oscars’ 2026 best picture race

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“But we didn’t have the same childhood. I had you.”

In the 2025 film Sentimental Value, a line delivered by Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas as Agnes is considered particularly moving and powerful.

This single scene beautifully explains why the film received nine Oscar nominations – it perfectly captures the complex and touching bond between the two sisters. We see Renate Reinsve’s character, Nora, holding her younger sister with love and sadness, trying to understand why their father didn’t show them the same affection and why Agnes seems to have avoided the pain Nora feels. It’s a powerfully emotional moment that viewers consistently point to as one of the film’s best, and feels deserving of an award on its own.

Among all the films up for Best Picture this year, ‘Sentimental Value’ is the most emotionally resonant, and that’s why it should win.

Norwegian director Joachim Trier, known for his critically praised film The Worst Person in the World (many felt it deserved more awards in 2022), is back with Sentimental Value. This new film, like his previous one, is a deeply insightful look at a character, and features another remarkable performance by Renate Reinsve.

Nora Borg is a theatre actress in her thirties haunted by a difficult relationship with her famous film director father, Gustav Skarsgård. When Gustav offers her a role in his latest movie, old resentments flare up. The story explores themes of love, personal growth, and how far one can truly forgive, and is made even more complex when American actress Elle Fanning is cast to play a character based on Gustav’s late mother, Karin.

Family dramas have long been a staple of the Oscars, with films like Kramer vs. Kramer, Little Women, and Little Miss Sunshine consistently resonating with both the Academy and general audiences – likely because these stories feel so personal and relatable. Sentimental Value stands out even within this popular genre. It offers a strikingly honest and moving portrayal of sisterhood and the lasting impact of trauma on the oldest daughter in a troubled family. The film’s ability to capture this specific, often-ignored experience with such sensitivity and authenticity makes it a strong contender for an award.

The film Sentimental Value is deeply moving thanks to the incredible performances of its lead actresses. Each actress perfectly embodies her character – Nora’s complexity, Agnes’s gentle nature, and Rachel’s sensitivity are all beautifully portrayed. It’s no surprise the film earned nominations for Best Picture and many other awards, including acting nods for all three women. Alexander Skarsgård delivers a striking performance as Gustav, a character who is both frustrating and, at times, heartbreaking due to his emotional distance.

The film boasts strong performances, and is elevated by its heartfelt story, beautiful visuals, and impressive set design. Unlike any other film this year, it manages to make a simple house feel like a character itself – and does so effortlessly. The Borg family home, a dark wood structure in the Dragestil style, is filmed in a way that feels both steady and deeply personal. The filmmakers skillfully transform the house’s walls and foundations into a representation of the family’s history – filled with generations of laughter, love, and hardship. This approach is so effective that, at times, viewers find themselves more concerned about the house’s fate than the people living within it.

As a movie fan, I’d be thrilled if Sentimental Value won Best Picture! It would be a huge moment – only the second foreign-language film ever to take home the award. Parasite did it back in 2019, and it would be amazing to see another film break that barrier. It would really send a message that stories from different cultures, stories about family and history, deserve to be celebrated worldwide, and aren’t just a lucky exception.

While not as dramatic as some films, like ‘Sinners’ or ‘One Battle After Another,’ and it doesn’t aim to provoke strong emotions like ‘Hamnet,’ ‘Sentimental Value’ is a gentle and thoughtful exploration of what it means to be human. It’s a film that quietly examines life and the forces that shape us.

Honestly, after a lot of really loud and flashy Best Picture winners lately, I’m kind of hoping something a bit gentler and more subtle takes the prize this year. It feels like it’s time for a change of pace.

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Sentimental Value is now streaming on MUBI.

Authors

Chezelle BinghamSub-Editor

Chezelle Bingham is a Sub-Editor at TopMob. Before this, she was a Writer for Disney magazines, contributing to six publications aimed at preschool and primary school children. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Language.

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2026-03-13 20:36