‘Sentimental Value’ Criterion Collection 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review – Joachim Trier’s Family Drama Is An Emotional Gem

Joachim Trier, one of contemporary cinema’s great humanists, excavates layers of history and memory—both national and personal—for this rich, ineffably moving story of one family’s attempts to come to terms with generations of trauma and healing. After the death of their mother, two sisters must contend with the return home to Norway of their estranged father, celebrated filmmaker Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgård). In the case of Nora (Renate Reinsve), an actor, he hopes to reconnect by casting her in his new film—a project that both inflicts fresh wounds and reopens old ones. With a virtuoso ensemble cast that also includes Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (in a breakout performance) and Elle Fanning, Trier’s film delicately balances each moment of humor and hurt, conducting a stunning emotional exploration of how the past echoes in the present and art can transform pain into catharsis.

For in-depth thoughts on Sentimental Value, please see my colleague Will Bjarnar’s review from its original theatrical release here. 

For additional insights, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: 

Video Quality

Sentimental Value comes to 4K UHD Blu-Ray in an HEVC encoded transfer from a 4K master approved by director Joachim Trier in 1.85:1 in SDR courtesy of The Criterion Collection. While the lack of HDR/Dolby Vision may be disappointing to some, this release provides a sterling presentation that presents this film with nary an imperfection. This transfer offers a pleasant and stable image quality throughout without any visual deficits. The fact that this was shot on film translates well on disc, with most shots presenting with more texture than many modern digital productions. 

Cinematographer Kasper Tuxen captures some sumptuous compositions that really wow on the format. Skin tones look natural throughout the runtime with plenty of character coming through. Not only do the textural details render crisply, but colors are suffused in a way that matches the aesthetic of the film. Colors notably pop when it comes to clothing and certain distinct pieces of production design. There is not even a trace of compression artifacts or other digital nuisances, even in the most dimly lit spaces. The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc allows the film to look its best. 

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that is much more complex than it might seem upon first blush. The musical cues and score from Hania Rani are showcased impeccably here with an enveloping use of the surround speakers that maintains pinpoint fidelity. Dialogue comes through crystal clear without ever being overshadowed by the environmental effects or the music. The sound design is just as deliberately thought-out as the on-screen visuals with all of the sounds positioned perfectly in the mix. 

While this movie is very dialogue-driven, the track is replete with environmental sounds both in the outdoor noises, such as the beach at Deauville, along with the ambiance of the house that is so pivotal to the actions of the narrative. The environmental effects create a natural soundscape filled with little peculiarities that do an amazing job of transporting you to this setting. Activity in the low end pops up when it needs to, but it mostly assists in providing additional texture to the world. This is a fabulous audio presentation that brings the movie to life in a really satisfying way. Optional English subtitles are provided. 

Special Features

The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Sentimental Value includes a bound booklet featuring the essay “Between Trauma and the Sublime” by author Karl Ove Knausgård in which he provides a great amount of insight into and analysis of the film that helps highlight the deeper themes on display, the connections to other works from Joachim Trier, and more. The on-disc special features are as follows: 

• Joachim Trier and Mike Mills: A 48-minute conversation between friends Joachim Trier and Mike Mills (C’mon, C’mon) in which they discuss their background with one another, the writing process, collaborating with coscreenwriter Eskil Vogt, establishing a style with cinematographer Kasper Tuxen, working with the performers, and so much more that is an invaluable watch. 

• Selected-Scene Commentaries

• • Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt: The two creative figures behind this feature give some incredible insights into key scenes from the film. 

• • • The House (6:20)

• • • Panic (7:03)

• • • Deauville (7:20)

• • • Karin’s Files (7:20)

• • • The Script (9:02)

• • Jørgen Stangebye Larsen: A 12-minute audio piece in which the production designer of the film discusses the importance of the house to the story, the location scouting, his history with the house from previous projects, new elements he introduced during the production, and more. 

• • Gisle Tveito: A nearly 16-minute audio overview with the sound designer in which he discusses his relationship with Joachim Trier, designing the noises of the house, ensuring the sounds follow the emotions, and more. 

• The Cast of Sentimental Value: A terrific 32-minute documentary featuring new interviews with actors Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning. This piece starts with some background information on how each of them came to the project before getting into the dynamics between the ensemble, the rehearsals, how Joachim Trier worked with everyone, the atmosphere on set, and more. 

• Deleted Scenes: Five scenes of unused material totaling eleven minutes are provided here featuring Gustav in Deauville, Nora in rehearsals, a scene from the in-movie film, and more. 

• Trailer (2:09)

Final Thoughts

Sentimental Value is yet another example that Joachim Trier is one of our most empathetic and insightful filmmakers working today. After the success of The Worst Person in the World, he has chosen to scale up his narrative ambitions rather than opting for a flashier production. Through this, we get an exceptional ensemble filled with characters who each get the time and attention they deserve to feel just as essential to the plot as any other member. The film is filled with levity, but it also has the ability to leave you in tears. It is the type of emotional journey we value so deeply, and it is among the best films to be released in recent memory. The Criterion Collection has released a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a fantastic A/V presentation and some special features that are not to be missed. Highly Recommended 

The Criterion Collection edition of Sentimental Value will be available to purchase on May 26, 2026, on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, and DVD.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.