Late Fame

A coming-of-age for the one-hit wonders who never reached their full potential, Late Fame is a beautifully hopeful film that marvels at the hypocrisy of those who pursue creative endeavours as a career – from writers and critics to artists of all kinds – and explores how privilege can play a role in the pursuit of these passions. Starring a quietly endearing performance by Willem Dafoe, Kent Jones’s feature boasts references to great late writers and literary techniques, dissecting questions of fame versus contentment in life.

Late Fame follows Ed Saxberger, once a poet, whose work becomes the subject of admiration for a group of young literary hopefuls. Seduced by the collective’s enthusiasm and the mysterious Gloria, Ed becomes heavily involved in their plans to announce themselves via a reading of their works. As he falls deeper into the tangled relationships within the group, Ed finds new appreciation for his old works while losing sight of the mundane life he has built.

The highlight of the picture is undoubtedly its extraordinary cast. Dafoe is an excellent everyman with a literary past, and his transition from hesitance to fascination with the group is slow and steady, reflective of how the audience gradually falls in love with Ed and the rest of the cast. But there’s still a self-awareness in him – an understanding of the kids, their privilege, and the gap between his hard work and their nepotistic connections – that never truly goes away. This same sensation echoes through the viewers as well. Greta Lee’s rendition of Gloria is magnificent. There’s intrigue in her performance that shrouds Gloria in an enchanting air of secrecy, balanced by the fatigue and simplicity of her monotonous life outside of the group.

These actors, their micro-expressions and the subtle ways their facial features move, are supported by observant cinematography that lingers on their faces and slowly pans across the room, exposing the reaction of every single character present. It’s this combination of brilliant acting and detailed visuals that fleshes out the pretentious dialogue and reveals the irony that’s ever present in the characters.

There’s something delicate in how Late Fame utilises colour. There’s vibrance in the cool tones used in Ed’s everyday life, contrasting against the browns and yellows that come alive when he first encounters the group. While the latter initially presents an image of something warm and inviting, the overwhelming wash of neutral hues later creates dull imagery, representative of Ed’s disillusionment. Meanwhile, his life before, despite its shades of blue and grey, still maintains an enticing energy that’s comforting to both Ed and the audience.

Late Fame is a wonderful character study, dealing with lost potential and acceptance of a life built after. Its dialogue already exhibits clever writing, but it’s the actors and how they portray their characters’ complex dynamics, and how the visuals support the script, that truly enhance the feature into a touching but silently cutting experience for the viewer.

Mae Trumata

Late Fame is released nationwide on 3^rd September 2026.

Watch the trailer for Late Fame here: