Late Fame

"A moving contemplation on times gone by."

— Will DiGravio, Cineaste Magazine

"Sometimes a heartfelt slice of the old New York life is all we need."

— Alfred Castaneda, Shade Studios

"Willem Dafoe exquisitely plays a disillusioned poet who is plucked from obscurity for an agenda-driven comeback."

— Carla Hay, Culture Mix

"A richly textured performance by Willem Dafoe galvanizes this quietly perceptive exploration of an aging artist at a crossroads."

— Todd Jorgenson, Cinemalogue

"With Late Fame, Kent Jones delivers a quiet, funny, and intimate film about New York City, pretentious hipsters, and the pursuit of artistic creation in 2026."

— Sophie Frank, Loud and Clear Reviews

"A modest delight of a film about the unexpected ways that the past never truly leaves us, shot with an understated style that feels uniquely New York."

— Cody Dericks, Next Best Picture

"Samy Burch’s script skewers New York ne’er-do-wells and wannabe artists, rich kid poseurs and more, perfectly embodied by Edmund Donovan and his band of merry men."

— Erik Anderson, AwardsWatch

"In a sense, the film, directed by Kent Jones, is like a wonderful little poem. It’s also a touching nod to the past, gracefully intertwining aspects of 'Metropolitan' and 'Dead Poets Society.'"

— Kyle Smith, Wall Street Journal

"This is a modest film but also fairly heartbreaking, a bittersweet lament for the precious parts of us we want discovered by the world, as well as for the truths we have to accept when illusions get swept away."

— Tim Grierson, AV Club

"At once a satire of artistic pretensions and a tantalizing character study, Late Fame isn’t focused on big cathartic moments... But there’s a satisfying depth to it, and the movie abounds in exquisite grace notes."

— Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter

"Director Kent Jones, writer Samy Burch and a terrific ensemble bring colourful characters to life, anchored by a beautiful performance from Willem Dafoe as a man who, like pretty much everyone, has forgotten who he used to be."

— Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

"It reaffirms that Burch is a notable talent with a particular knack for creating complex and contradictory female characters. It may be Ed's story, but it's Gloria who steals the film whenever she's on screen, thanks to a knockout turn from Lee."

— Wendy Ide, Screen International

"Kent Jones’s enthralling Late Fame features Willem Dafoe in the kind of role actors dream of playing...he devours the challenge... Extra kudos to Greta Lee for a layered turn—she’s truly mesmerizing as an actress-wannabe who is always performing."

— Frank J. Avella, The Contending

"Kent Jones takes advantage of an incredible script by Samy Burch (May December) to bring us the charming and emotional Late Fame. Dafoe’s performance is definitely the stand-out, offering audiences a side of him that we don’t often get to see."

— Cameron Ritter, Geek Vibes Nation