Stellan Skarsgard, Sentimental Value
The veteran Swedish star, known for his roles in Good Will Hunting, Mamma Mia!, Thor, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Dune, Chernobyl, Andor and a brooding indie film with Lars von Trier, has never had “Oscar nominee” on his resume.
Skarsgard, 74, said the praise he’s been getting for his supporting role in Joaquin Trier’s Sentimental Value as Gustav Borg, a respected director who wants to make a film about his family after the death of his ex-wife, was happily unexpected, much to the dismay of his estranged daughters.
In particular, the father of eight thought he would never act again after suffering a stroke three years ago that left him with short-term memory loss. Instead, he learned how to remain present in the scene while listening to his lines through earphones, leading to the role of a lifetime.
Skarsgard, who won the 2026 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, told the LA Times, “You never know how a movie is going to be a hit.” “But this work reached every person, every generation, every culture. It clearly touched something. And it’s remarkable because, despite its seriousness, it’s light. It’s like a soufflé with dark spots.”
