Late Fame — Willem Dafoe Returns as a Forgotten Poet in Kent Jones’s New Drama

“Late Fame” follows Ed Saxberger (played by Willem Dafoe), a New York City postal worker who achieved brief literary notoriety in the late-1970s with a self-published poetry collection titled *Way Past Go*. Decades later, Saxberger lives a quiet life, his former fame reduced to a mention in an old Village Voice article. The routine is disrupted when graduate-student Wilson Meyers (Edmund Donovan) discovers Saxberger’s book, tracks him down, and introduces him to a circle of young, self-styled intellectuals who call themselves “The Enthusiasm Society.” The group, which includes actress-singer Gloria (Greta Lee), seeks to stage a reading that challenges “late-stage capitalism” and “sociopath media.” As Saxberger becomes the center of their literary whirl, he is forced to reconsider whether obscurity is preferable to renewed attention.

Variety Magazine

Director Kent Jones frames the story as a meditation on fame, artistic legacy, and the allure of youthful idealism. The film opened in August, launching first in New York before expanding to Los Angeles and additional markets. It is positioned as a character-driven drama rather than a commercial blockbuster, emphasizing interior performance over spectacle.

Variety Magazine

Dafoe, a veteran of both independent cinema and major studio franchises, brings a “muted and interior” quality to Saxberger. His recent work includes collaborations with Robert Eggers (“Werwulf”) and Yorgos Lanthimos, as well as roles in big-budget projects such as the “Spider-Man” and “Finding Nemo” franchises. In an interview, Dafoe reflected on his early years in New York’s experimental theater scene of the 1970s, describing the era’s poetry readings and loft performances as a community driven by passion rather than career ambition.

Variety Magazine

The narrative thus explores the tension between nostalgic reverence for a bygone artistic community and the modern desire to reclaim authenticity amid commercial pressures.

New York Times

Dafoe explained that the appeal of smaller films lies in their flexibility and the collaborative space they afford, whereas larger productions require more planning and involve “more cooks in the kitchen.” He emphasized that, regardless of scale, an actor must identify the world of the story, understand their function, and decide where to push or hold back. Regarding his work with directors like Eggers and Lanthimos, Dafoe described the experience as “clear” and “fun,” noting that these filmmakers create highly specific worlds that demand both precision and creative space.

Variety Magazine

“Late Fame” will continue its theatrical rollout throughout the summer, with additional screenings planned in major U.S. cities following its initial August openings. The film is slated for a subsequent streaming release, though exact platforms and dates have not been announced.

Variety Magazine