Sebastian Stan defends ‘Fjord’ on Daily Show, urges curiosity over conservative label

Sebastian Stan appeared on The Daily Show in New York on Oct. 9, 2026 to discuss his upcoming drama Fjord.

The interview came as the film, which follows a devout evangelical Romanian couple who move to a remote Norwegian fjord and face accusations of child abuse, prepares for a nationwide release on Oct. 9.

Host Michael Kosta described Fjord as potentially “fairly conservative,” prompting Stan to explain why that label does not capture the film’s core conflict.

“I think that’s a pretty fair assessment, but that should not necessarily cancel out the issues that, you know, this family is facing or that the feelings that they have and the desire that they have to raise the kids in the best way they can,” Stan said. “I think there’s probably always, on either side, that there needs to be an opening of a door, you know, for more of a back‑and‑forth to happen… Like, when did conservative become so wrong?”

Stan, who grew up outside of a religious household, argued that curiosity and dialogue are essential when confronting cultural differences. He urged audiences to give the family the “benefit of the doubt” and to consider that they may be acting “for the right reasons.”

Fjord’s narrative deliberately leaves the cause of the daughter’s bruises ambiguous, focusing instead on the broader clash between the conservative family’s values and the liberal expectations of the Norwegian community.

Stan’s measured response stands in contrast to previous criticism he has faced for playing a young Donald Trump in the 2024 biopic The Apprentice. While some commentators labeled his new film a “right‑wing” project, Stan rejected the notion that the movie serves as propaganda, noting that the story could be set in any country where cultural and religious tensions arise.

The film’s release will test whether audiences respond to its invitation for measured conversation rather than partisan condemnation, and Stan hinted that future interviews will continue to explore the nuances of faith, family, and cultural misunderstanding.