“My son saw the film and said to me, ‘You recognize yourself?’”

Stellan Skarsgård says his son compared him to deadbeat dad character in Sentimental Value: ‘You can never satisfy a kid’

"My son saw the film and said to me, 'You recognize yourself?'"

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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December 27, 2025 3:22 p.m. ET

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Stellan Skarsgård in Los Angeles on Nov. 5, 2025. Credit:

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

- Stellan Skarsgård never considered parallels between himself and his character in *Sentimental Value*.

- However, one of his kids suggested similarities between the two patriarchs: "My son saw the film and said to me, 'You recognize yourself?'"

- The actor opined that "You can never be a good parent to a kid, because truthfully, they have things to complain about."

Stellan Skarsgård didn't see many parallels between himself and his *Sentimental Value* character — until his son saw the film for the first time.

In the latest film from Joachim Trier, the *Andor* star portrays Gustav Borg, a self-centered film director who seldom interacts with his daughters after divorcing their mother and leaving the country.

"I never thought of Gustav as being like me in any way," he told *The Independent*. "Our situations are similar, but it's totally different."

Gustaf Skarsgård, Bill Skarsgård, Valter Skarsgård, Eija Skarsgård, Sam Skarsgård, Gro Skarsgård, Megan Everett, and Stellan Skarsgård in Stockholm on May 6, 2013.

Ibl/Shutterstock

Skarsgård has eight children, including *True Blood* star Alexander Skarsgård and *It* actor Bill Skarsgård — and explained that one of his offspring prompted comparisons between his *Sentimental Value* character and his real-life personality.

"My son saw the film and said to me, 'You recognize yourself?'" he remembered. "I said, no! But of course, they see things that I don't see — but you can never satisfy a kid."

Skarsgård believes that all parents are flawed, no matter how hard they try. "You can never be a good parent to a kid, because truthfully, they have things to complain about because we're only human," he opined. "And they're not perfect either. So you've got to live with it."

Stellan Skarsgård in 'Sentimental Value'.

Eventually, the *Breaking the Waves* actor recognized the similarities that his son might have seen. "I realized more that maybe I wasn't totally present when my kids were growing up," Skarsgård said. "But I have eight kids – it's f---ing impossible."

The *Mamma Mia* star said that he and his children all allow each other to pursue their interests to whatever extent they desire. "I have been very tolerant to my kids, and they have to be tolerant of me, too," he said. "I've let them go and do whatever they want, and they can let me go and do whatever I want."

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Skarsgård added that he couldn't imagine participating in traditional parental activities, like hanging around his kids' soccer practice. "It would be so boring," he said. "I would die."

Many analysts expect Skarsgård to land an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in *Sentimental Value*, which would mark his first recognition from the Academy in a career spanning 50 years. "I've done pretty well without them," he said of Oscar nominations. "But of course it's exciting and good for the film – and good for cinemas."

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He also said that he wouldn't hesitate to compete with his son, Alexander, who is also in the awards conversation this year for his film *Pillion*. "The gloves are off," the elder Skarsgård said.

*Sentimental Value* is now playing in theaters.**

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