FJORD - Review | Cannes Film Festival 2026

Cristian Mungiu's latest film may feature an exaggerated portrayal of Norway's authoritative control of immigrants with abnormal views. However, that doesn't stop it from being such an emotionally captivating experience for its entire 2hr 30min runtime, reminiscent to Vinterberg's The Hunt (2012). A film that hauntingly showcases the immoral authority that a host nation can summon to unnecessarily make the lives of their immigrants a living hell. Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve portray these victims in a deliberately reserved manner, through impressive unbroken long shots that allows viewers to take in every ounce of desperation through their actions. Along with a truly fleshed-out screenplay and dynamic ensemble to work with such a distinct open scope of capturing its cold/foggy setting. Mungiu delivers his most accessible, topical, and engaging work yet, that remains true to the earned heart-wrench and masterful filmmaking he usually provides.

Still Courtesy – Neon

Set in a remote Norwegian coastal village, the story follows Mihai (portrayed by Sebastian Stan) and Lisbet Gheorghiu (portrayed by Renate Reinsve), an Evangelical Romanian-Norwegian couple who relocate with their five children following the death of Mihai's parents. Their attempt to build a new life is thrown into turmoil when their eldest daughter arrives at school with unexplained bruises, prompting an investigation by Norway's child protection authorities. As the case intensifies, the family finds itself at the center of a deeply emotional conflict between their traditional beliefs and the country's modern approach to child welfare, testing the bonds that hold them together.

After continuing his run as one of Romania's most celebrated filmmakers with R.M.N., Cristian Mungiu returns to the Cannes Competition with Fjord, once again exploring the moral complexities that emerge when individuals find themselves trapped within uncompromising institutions. Since winning the Palme d'Or for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Mungiu has built a reputation for crafting slow-burning dramas that dissect societal pressures through intimate human stories, and this new project expands those concerns into a tense examination of immigration, belonging, and systemic authority.

Rather than presenting a subtle portrait of immigration policy, the film leans into an intentionally heightened depiction of Norway's bureaucratic treatment of newcomers whose beliefs and lifestyles fall outside accepted norms. While some viewers may find this portrayal exaggerated, the emotional force behind the story remains undeniable throughout its demanding two-and-a-half-hour runtime. Echoing the suffocating atmosphere of Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt (2012), Fjord becomes less about the literal mechanics of government policy and more about the devastating consequences of institutional suspicion, showing how authority can isolate and dehumanize those already living on society's margins.

Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve anchor the narrative with remarkably restrained performances, allowing quiet gestures and lingering expressions to communicate the overwhelming desperation of their circumstances. Mungiu's trademark use of extended, unbroken takes gives these performances room to breathe, refusing to manipulate the audience through rapid editing and instead forcing them to sit with every uncomfortable silence and painful confrontation. The screenplay carefully develops not only its two protagonists but also the supporting ensemble, ensuring that every character contributes to the moral ambiguity rather than existing as a simplistic hero or villain.

Complementing the performances is an evocative visual style that fully embraces Norway's cold, mist-covered landscapes, turning the country's breathtaking scenery into an emotionally isolating backdrop. The expansive yet oppressive setting mirrors the protagonists' growing sense of alienation, reinforcing the film's themes without overwhelming them. Although Fjord tackles one of Mungiu's most overtly contemporary subjects, it never abandons the meticulous craftsmanship that has defined his career. The result is arguably his most accessible and immediately gripping work to date—a deeply affecting drama that combines topical relevance with the emotional precision and formal mastery audiences have come to expect from one of contemporary cinema's finest directors.

Verdict

9/10

Still Courtesy – Neon