Movie: The Love That Remains

On the surface The Love That Remains is a movie about the impact of a marriage break up on a family of five.

However, the telling of this Icelandic tale is anything but simple thanks to writer-director Hlynur Pálmason’s unique style including the use of surrealistic vignettes, visual metaphors and dream scenes.

These dream scenes include a medieval knight dummy coming to life, an aggressive giant rooster and a plane crash.

The actual story tells of Anna (Saga Garðarsdóttir) and Magnus (Sverrir Gudnason) who, although seemingly in the throes of splitting up, still spend time together for the sake of their three children – daughter Ida (Ida Mekkín Hlynsdottir) and two sons Porgils (Porgils Hlynsson) and Grimur (Grimur Hlynsson).

Anna is a struggling artist who creates large canvases and works with metal. She has just lost her harbour-side studio and is frustrated that her work hasn’t been recognised by the art world.

Magnus works on an industrial herring trawler and as a result is away from home for long periods of time.

It’s clear Magnus is far keener for reconciliation than Anna. He’s also unsure where he fits within the family, especially when it comes to raising their three children.  His attitude towards his children’s behaviour is far stricter than Anna’s.  And unlike his wife he’s still keen for the couple to have sex.

Despite her efforts at keeping Magnus at bay, Anna still includes him in events such as family picnics – one of many scenes that highlight the beauty of Iceland’s glaciers and mountains both in summer and winter.

There’s no doubting the appeal of The Love That Remains to critics – the film won gongs at the 2026 Icelandic film awards for best film, director, screenplay, cinematography, lead actress, lead actor and supporting actor and was Iceland’s official selection at the 2026 Academy awards.

It’s also likely to appeal to lovers of true art house movies. However, those who prefer their movie’s told more simply may not be so enamoured!

The Love That Remains opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday August 20.