Eleanor The Great
Directed by: Scarlett Johansson
Written by: Tony Kamen
Starring: June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, Rita Zohar
Release Date: September 26, 2025
Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut Eleanor the Great stars June Squibb in a heartfelt, funny, and deeply human story about grief, friendship, and finding meaning late in life. A quiet triumph that proves Johansson may be as good behind the camera as she is in front of it.
The Story of a Lonely Heart Finding a New Purpose
Eleanor the Great stars the remarkable June Squibb as Eleanor, an elderly Florida retiree whose tranquil routine is shattered by the death of her lifelong best friend, Bessie (Rita Zohar). With no reason to stay, Eleanor impulsively decides to move back to New York City to live with her daughter, Lisa (Jessica Hecht).
Lisa, overwhelmed by work and ill-equipped for long-term cohabitation, quickly begins searching for assisted living options. But that tension is just the prologue — the real story begins when Eleanor meets Nina Davis (Erin Kellyman), a journalism student grieving her own mother’s death.
At a local community center, Eleanor finds herself mistakenly invited to a Holocaust survivors’ group. Though she isn’t a survivor, she begins retelling her late friend Bessie’s stories as her own — an act of kindness that slowly becomes a dangerous lie once Nina decides to feature Eleanor’s “story” in a college thesis and, eventually, on television with her father, Roger (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
A Story That Could Have Been Sitcom Fodder — But Isn’t
What could easily have devolved into a farcical sitcom about mistaken identity instead blossoms into a film full of grace, humanity, and forgiveness. Johansson and writer Tony Kamen resist the urge for cheap laughs or tear-jerking manipulation. Instead, they find beauty in vulnerability — the quiet, everyday courage it takes to confront loss, loneliness, and the lies we tell to feel less alone.
When Eleanor’s secret is inevitably threatened, the film doesn’t seek to humiliate her. It extends compassion — to her, to Nina, to everyone just trying to hold onto meaning in a world that keeps taking things away.
Scarlett Johansson Behind the Camera
For her first film as director, Scarlett Johansson proves surprisingly understated. Her touch is light, her pacing unhurried. There’s no ego here, just a sincere focus on the story and the people within it. Having grown up surrounded by filmmakers, Johansson understands that directing is as much about listening as it is about control.
Eleanor the Great isn’t a flashy debut. It’s quietly confident, generous toward its cast, and deeply human — the kind of work that signals Johansson could have a serious second act as a filmmaker if she continues down this path.
June Squibb and Erin Kellyman: A Friendship for the Ages
The movie’s heart belongs entirely to June Squibb and Erin Kellyman, whose chemistry feels effortless and real. Their friendship — tender, funny, and unforced — anchors the movie emotionally.
Squibb, fresh off last year’s wonderful Thelma, is a revelation once again. She refuses to play Eleanor as a caricature of an old woman acting young. Instead, she finds humor and strength in dignity, crafting a character full of curiosity, regret, and warmth. Kellyman’s naturalism complements her beautifully, resulting in one of the year’s most touching onscreen duos.
The End of “Old People Acting Young” Jokes
Years ago, The Simpsons killed the tired trope of “old people acting young” with one perfectly barbed gag: Dame Vanessa Redgrave saying, “I’m going to haul ass to Lollapalooza.” That moment symbolically buried a cultural trend — and perhaps made room for stories like Eleanor the Great.
Now, filmmakers like Johansson are crafting stories that respect aging characters. We’re seeing that older women can be funny, complex, and vitalwithout becoming the butt of the joke. June Squibb’s late-career renaissance stands as proof that maturity and emotional intelligence are cinematic assets, not liabilities.
Final Thoughts: A Beautiful, Unflashy Triumph
Eleanor the Great is a small film that earns big emotions. It’s about the lies we tell not to deceive, but to connect — and how empathy, not punishment, offers redemption.
Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut may not reinvent the wheel, but it reminds us why storytelling matters. And in June Squibb, it gives us a heroine for the ages — wise, fallible, and beautifully alive.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
