Sentimental Value ending explained

What happens

Rachel leaves the project, and Nora takes the part her father wrote for her. The film is shot in the family home, and the sisters and their father are forced to see each other through the work.

The last image

The film closes on the family home, where the making of the film has now left its mark.

Two readings

1 · Real repairMaking the film together finally lets them say what they never could.

2 · Art as substituteThe film gives them a way to look at each other without truly changing anything.

What it says

Art can't promise to heal anyone, and the film doesn't claim it does. It ends on the attempt itself: Gustav's late, clumsy reach toward his daughters still counts as a way of loving them.