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Late Fame

Play trailer Late Fame 2026 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 30 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
Ed Saxberger, a forgotten New York poet, works in the post office. After an eager and flattering young admirer appears on his doorstep, Saxberger is beckoned into a coterie of twentysomething admirers who anoint him as a rediscovered genius. Intoxicated by the attention -- and by the alluring presence of Gloria, the group's "tragic heroine" -- Saxberger gradually reckons with the authenticity of his newfound poetic circle. This thoughtful, witty film is a wistful yet unromantic look at a lost idea of downtown New York.

Critics Reviews

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Zachary Barnes Wall Street Journal Oct 16
It’s based on a novel written in the 1890s by the Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler, and the adaptation’s transposition of time and place comes off as anachronistic and unconvincing Go to Full Review Jourdain Searles RogerEbert.com Oct 9
The classic theatricality of its characters juxtaposed with the modern world gives 'Late Fame' the feeling of a eulogy for an artistic world that young idealists desperately want to revive. Go to Full Review Marshall Shaffer Slant Magazine Sep 7
2/4
Its desire to resist easy storytelling paradigms around artists is admirable, but without punching up or down, the film feels like it’s pulling punches altogether. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 1d
3.5/4
Late Fame is about having the energy to put in the artistic work and recognizing that great art comes from having something to say [...] However, recognizing the difference between inspired art and manufactured content is increasingly rare these days. Go to Full Review Will DiGravio Cineaste Magazine Mar 6
A moving contemplation on times gone by. Go to Full Review Calum Cooper In Their Own League Mar 2
3/5
"Late Fame" is not the most densely packed of films, but it benefits from a strong central performance and evocative winter visuals. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Kent Jones

Director

Willem Dafoe

Actor

Greta Lee

Actor

Edmund Donovan

Actor

Tony Torn

Actor

Jake Lacy

Actor
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Late Fame

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Movie Info

Synopsis Ed Saxberger, a forgotten New York poet, works in the post office. After an eager and flattering young admirer appears on his doorstep, Saxberger is beckoned into a coterie of twentysomething admirers who anoint him as a rediscovered genius. Intoxicated by the attention -- and by the alluring presence of Gloria, the group's "tragic heroine" -- Saxberger gradually reckons with the authenticity of his newfound poetic circle. This thoughtful, witty film is a wistful yet unromantic look at a lost idea of downtown New York.
Director
Kent Jones
Producer
Pamela Koffler, Mason Plotts, Christine Vachon, Danny Roberts, H.S. Naji, Jackie Langelier, Taylor Shung, Ethan Lazar
Screenwriter
Samy Burch
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 36m