Marc by Sofia 2025 Movie Review Trailer

 In her documentary debut, Coppola chronicles the work of her longtime friend and collaborator, eschewing hagiography in favor of something more elusive.

It is a classic premise: a filmmaker follows a creative genius leading up to the unveiling of a major new work, documenting the preparations and the fears—the pains and the pleasures—with an elegant, self-evident conclusion. The creator creates, we observe, and the triumph is realized. That framework works for all manner of stories, but at its best, it transcends such prescriptive tendencies.

Director: Sofia Coppola
Stars: Sofia Coppola, Marc Jacobs, Spike Jonze

It is gratifying to see the finished painting, the completed house, or the finished book; yet, it is the process itself that makes these stories truly captivating. This appears to be the driving force behind Sofia Coppola’s first documentary, *Marc by Sofia*. The film ostensibly follows fashion designer and icon Marc Jacobs as he prepares for his Spring 2024 show—encompassing both the collection itself and its dazzling runway event—but it is far more interested in the very act of creation.

Admirers of Jacobs (among whom Coppola—a longtime friend and collaborator—counts herself) will find a few autobiographical brushstrokes; nevertheless, *Marc by Sofia* seeks to understand Jacobs first and foremost as a creator, and only secondarily as a person. (The segments in which we delve into his biography—including his childhood and his early forays into the fashion world—are delightful; the film would have benefited from providing more context of this kind.)

Jacobs takes on the assignment—or perhaps it is the assignment that takes hold of him. In Coppola’s interviews, he appears self-critical and somewhat guarded. Even enjoying the inherent comfort of being interviewed by a close friend (whose questions span a wide spectrum, ranging from the basic to the surprisingly profound), Jacobs remains reluctant to speak too much about himself. She prefers to converse about her multiple sources of inspiration—and about what makes them so great: Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Fosse, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Joan Crawford, Anna Sui, Cindy Sherman, her adored grandmother, and the very concept of *camp*. Coppola floods the screen with kaleidoscopic fragments and a collage-like energy to highlight the genius of them all.

Editor’s Note: This review was originally published during the 2025 Venice Film Festival. A24 releases the film in theaters on Friday, March 20.

It is a classic premise: a filmmaker follows a creative genius leading up to the unveiling of a major new work, documenting the preparations and the fears—the pains and the pleasures—culminating in an elegant, self-evident conclusion. The creator creates, we observe, and triumph is achieved. This narrative framework works for all manner of stories, yet at its best, it transcends established conventions.

It is gratifying to see the finished painting, the completed house, or the published book; however, it is the process itself that makes these stories truly captivating. This appears to be the driving force behind Sofia Coppola’s first documentary, *Marc by Sofia*. On the surface, the film follows fashion designer and icon Marc Jacobs as he prepares his Spring 2024 show—encompassing both the collection itself and its dazzling runway spectacle—but in reality, it focuses far more on the very act of creation.

Luis Valdez appears in *American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez* by David Alvarado, an Official Selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of the Sundance Institute | Photo by Elizabeth Sunflower / Retro Photo Archive.

What happens when new allegations alter a documentary after its premiere? Jacobs’s followers (among whom counts Coppola—his longtime friend and collaborator) will find a few autobiographical touches; however, *Marc by Sofia* seeks to get to know Jacobs, first and foremost, as a creator, and secondly, as a person. (The sections in which we delve into his biography—including his childhood and his early forays into the fashion world—are charming; the film would have benefited from providing greater context in this regard).

Jacobs takes on the assignment—or perhaps it is the assignment that captures him. In the interviews conducted by Coppola, he appears self-critical and somewhat reserved. Even with the inherent comfort of being interviewed by a close friend (whose questions span the full spectrum, from the basics to the surprisingly profound), Jacobs remains reluctant to speak too much about himself. He prefers to converse about his numerous inspirations and what makes them great: Elizabeth.

It is the most honest moment in a film that abounds with them. That someone as successful as Jacobs should appear so plagued by a lack of self-confidence is a fascinating premise—one that, moreover, reflects Coppola’s own interest in the subject, something truly admirable; yet, in *Marc by Sofia*, we truly believe him. He is, indeed, that worried—always that worried. Perhaps that is the film’s greatest lesson: the creative act never ends, the perception of it is constantly shifting, and remaining open to that process is the most elegant choice of all.

Watch Marc by Sofia 2025 Movie Trailer