The Love That Remains (Icelandic: Ástin Sem Eftir Er) is a 2025 comedy-drama written and directed by Hlynur Pálmason. Starring Saga Garðarsdóttir and Sverrir Guðnason, it follows a year in the life of an Icelandic family as the parents separate.
The film had its world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May, where the lead animal actor, Panda, won the Palm Dog Award. It was theatrically released in Iceland on 14 August.
It was selected as the Icelandic entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Contents
Premise
It is described as a family drama exploring a year in the life of a family as the parents separate.
Cast
Saga Garðarsdóttir as Anna
Sverrir Guðnason as Magnús
Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir as Ída
Þorgils Hlynsson as Þorgils
Grímur Hlynsson as Grímur
Kristinn Guðmundsson as Ágúst
Halldór Laxness Halldórsson as Daníel
Anders Mossling as Martin
Ingvar E. Sigurðsson as Pálmi
Katla M. Þorgeirsdóttir as Íris
Production
It is produced by Anton Máni Svansson of Iceland’s STILL VIVID and Katrin Pors of Denmark’s Snowglobe.
Principal photography took place in Iceland in 2024. Palmason also served as cinematographer, shooting in 35 mm film. It features his regular collaborators such as editor Julius Krebs Damsbo, sound designer Björn Viktorsson and production designer Frosti Friðriksson. The soundtrack features original music by Harry Hunt.
Release
The Love That Remains had its North American premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on 4 September 2025. It was also selected for the Main Slate of the 63rd New York Film Festival.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 54 critics' reviews are positive.