Willem Dafoe Delivers an Oscar-Worthy Performance in First Trailer for ‘Late Fame’ With Greta Lee

Willem Dafoe is earning early Oscar buzz for his new movie Late Fame, which has released its first official trailer. The upcoming drama gives the four-time Oscar nominee a chance to play a quiet and emotional character, with critics already praising his performance.

The film follows Dafoe as Ed Saxberger, a former New York poet who was once admired in the literary world but now lives a much simpler life. He works at a post office and spends his free time with his friends, far away from the attention he once received.

Things change when a group of young writers discovers Saxberger’s old work and decides to bring him back into the spotlight. The group, known as the Enthusiasm Society, sees him as a forgotten genius and wants to use his return to help create their own literary movement.

However, the sudden fame forces Saxberger to question whether this new attention is real or if he is only being used by people chasing their own dreams.

The first trailer shows Dafoe’s character getting pulled into a world of young artists, excitement, and new possibilities. The film explores themes of aging, creativity, ambition, and what happens when someone gets a second chance at recognition.

Dafoe’s performance has already received strong attention. IndieWire praised the actor’s work, saying he has “dissolved into character, with such measured gravitas, that it almost feels like Dafoe is playing himself.” The outlet also suggested that his role could put him in the conversation during the upcoming awards season.

The movie also stars Greta Lee, who plays Gloria, a mysterious member of the young artistic group. Her character becomes an important figure in Saxberger’s new life as he becomes fascinated by her and the world she represents.

According to Magnolia Pictures’ description of the movie, “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.” The story follows how he handles the attention while trying to understand the intentions of those around him.

Late Fame is directed by Kent Jones, who previously made the acclaimed drama Diane. The screenplay was written by Samy Burch, known for the Oscar-nominated film May December. The movie is based on a novella by Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler, the author behind the story that inspired Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut.

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received positive reactions from critics. IndieWire described Late Fame as a movie that “bleeds a hard-earned wisdom that can only be exhibited by someone who has spent decades working in the arts.”

Alongside Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee, the cast includes Edmund Donovan, who plays the young admirer who introduces Saxberger to his new circle of fans.

Late Fame will be released by Magnolia Pictures in theaters, beginning with New York on August 7 and Los Angeles on August 14, before expanding to more cities. With Dafoe’s praised performance and its focus on fame, art, and second chances, the film is already becoming one of the titles to watch during the next awards season.

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