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Late Fame

Play trailer 2:22 Poster for Late Fame Now Playing 1h 36m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 58 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 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.
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Late Fame

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Critics Consensus

A gentle rumination on art and authenticity, Late Fame's wistful narrative is made lively by Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee's wonderfully complementary performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Thelma Adams AARP Movies for Grownups 2d
3/5
[Willem Dafoe is] able to play vampires or their hunters and star in blockbusters or micro-dramas like this one. Whatever size the part, he of the sharp cheekbones and curvy mouth is always a big presence -- and he’s the reason to see Late Fame. Go to Full Review Justin Chang The New Yorker 5d
The poetry of this movie, in short, is in Dafoe, who gives his finest performance in years -- a long trek from bliss to despair to disillusionment, and finally to the odd contentment and consolation that disillusionment often brings. Go to Full Review Stephanie Zacharek TIME Magazine Aug 7
Lee’s performance may be the secret key to Late Fame. Gloria is a user, a poseur extraordinaire; her fluttery flamboyance, rooted in insecurity, summons another Gloria, the one from Sunset Blvd. Go to Full Review Al Alexander Movies Thru the Spectrum 1d
A-
With nary a word, Dafoe works from the inside out to paint a convincing portrait of what it’s like for someone so meek to suddenly be imbued with confidence and esteem. Go to Full Review Roger Friedman Showbiz 411 1d
4/4
I’m not sure I hear people saying, "Where is Willem Dafoe’s Oscar?" enough at all. He is such a sublime actor, and capable of such range in characters that we’re wasting a lot of time in not driving toward that goal. Go to Full Review Rodrigo Perez The Playlist 2d
A-
Miraculously, there is little conventional plot and almost no overt drama, yet “Late Fame” utterly captivates. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Late Fame

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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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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
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 2026, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$41.3K
Runtime
1h 36m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.66:1)
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