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Coming Soon: Eleanor the Great (2025) by Scarlett Johansson — A Bittersweet Story of Loss, Lies, and Late-Life Courage

When Grief Meets Imagination at 94Eleanor the Great is the feature directorial debut of Scarlett Johansson, written by Tory Kamen, and starring the legendary June Squibb. At 94, Eleanor Morgenstein is witty, defiant, and newly grieving the loss of her best friend. Moving to New York to live with her daughter and grandson, she stumbles into a Holocaust survivor group and begins telling a story that isn’t hers — one that spirals into consequences she never imagined. The film mixes humor, grief, and moral tension, showing how even the smallest lies can take on dangerous lives of their own. Premiering in September 2025, the film has already earned 1 win and 4 nominations, making it a noteworthy debut for Johansson as a director. It’s a heartfelt drama about aging, memory, and the human need for connection in times of loss.

Why to Recommend Movie – A Tender and Troubling Journey

  • A Rare Leading Role for an Elderly Actress – June Squibb delivers a powerful performance at 94, embodying both Eleanor’s humor and her aching loneliness. She gives voice to characters often sidelined in cinema.

  • Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut – Johansson proves her talent extends beyond acting, balancing intimate family drama with moments of cultural resonance and moral complexity.

  • A Story About Grief and Reconnection – The movie resonates with anyone who has faced loss, reminding audiences of the fragile yet vital need for belonging at every age.

  • Balancing Humor with Heartache – Eleanor’s wit makes the film warm and watchable, even as it confronts difficult truths about mortality, honesty, and the consequences of bending reality.

Release Date on StreamingExpected to stream in early 2026, after its U.S. theatrical release and award-season run.

Theatrical ReleaseReleased in theaters on September 26, 2025, distributed in select U.S. cities to coincide with awards campaigns.

What is the Trend Followed – Late-Life Stories with Honesty and Humor

  • Focus on Aging and Agency – The movie follows the growing trend of stories that center elderly protagonists as complex and active rather than peripheral.

  • Mixing Humor and Grief – Like recent films blending laughter with loss, it finds comedy in vulnerability without diminishing emotional weight.

  • Reclaiming Female Narratives – By spotlighting an older woman’s journey of reinvention, the film contributes to a larger cultural trend of redefining female stories beyond youth.

Director’s Vision – Scarlett Johansson’s Bold First Step

  • Exploring Moral Gray Areas – Johansson shows how even good intentions can lead to damaging consequences, making Eleanor both flawed and empathetic.

  • Letting Performances Breathe – Her direction highlights the quiet moments, using stillness and silence as tools for emotional impact.

  • Balancing Generations – She draws parallels between Eleanor’s grief and Nina’s (Erin Kellyman), building an intergenerational story of loss and friendship.

  • A Personal yet Universal Approach – Johansson’s vision feels intimate but speaks broadly to themes of memory, guilt, and resilience.

Themes – Grief, Lies, Legacy, and Connection

  • Grief and Reinvention – The story asks how we carry on after devastating loss, showing Eleanor’s attempt to fill emptiness with imagination.

  • The Power and Danger of Lies – Eleanor’s invented story becomes both a coping mechanism and a trap, revealing the fragility of trust.

  • Generational Connection – Her friendship with Nina shows how different ages can find common ground through shared vulnerability.

  • Truth and Accountability – The movie underscores how honesty is both difficult and necessary for healing and human connection.

Key Success Factors – Why Eleanor the Great Resonates with Audiences

  • A Career-Defining Performance – June Squibb’s portrayal anchors the film with authenticity and emotional depth.

  • Cultural Relevance – Its Holocaust references and exploration of memory connect it to broader historical and ethical themes.

  • Emotional Accessibility – Balancing comedy with sorrow makes it relatable without being overwhelming.

  • Directorial Breakthrough – Johansson proves herself as a filmmaker capable of handling layered, sensitive material.

Awards & NominationsThe film has already secured 1 win and 4 nominations, signaling recognition for both performance and direction. As Johansson’s debut, it has drawn attention from critics and award bodies for its emotional scope and daring choice of lead.

Critics Reception – Strong Performances, Mixed Pacing

  • Variety – Praised Squibb’s magnetic presence but noted the film sometimes lingers too long on Eleanor’s lies.

  • Deadline – Highlighted Johansson’s directorial promise, calling it an “intimate and moving debut with real cultural resonance.”

  • TheWrap – Appreciated the balance of humor and grief, though felt the narrative occasionally slowed.

Summary: Critics agree the movie is elevated by Squibb’s performance and Johansson’s empathetic direction, though pacing keeps it from being flawless.

Reviews – Audiences Find it Moving and Honest

  • IMDb Users – Viewers praised the tenderness of the story, though some found it “slow and drab.” Most highlighted Squibb as the standout.

  • Festival Viewers – TIFF attendees noted its emotional resonance and praised the intergenerational friendship at the film’s core.

  • Social Media Reactions – Many were impressed by Johansson’s directing debut, calling it “surprisingly heartfelt and layered.”

Summary: General audiences find it touching, heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking, with most praise going to June Squibb’s central role.

Movie Trend – Films About Aging, Memory, and Late-Life AgencyEleanor the Great follows a wave of films giving elderly characters leading roles, showing them as complex individuals with agency. It aligns with recent cinema that values intergenerational storytelling and highlights the emotional resonance of later-life narratives. By weaving humor and grief together, it modernizes the “aging drama” into something more universal and poignant.

Social Trend – Confronting Grief, Honesty, and Representation of the ElderlyThe film mirrors society’s growing openness to discussing grief and mental health, while also advocating for representation of elderly voices in mainstream narratives. Eleanor’s journey reflects the real-world need for empathy across generations. In a culture often obsessed with youth, the story challenges audiences to see the wisdom, humor, and struggles of aging as both universal and vital.

Final Verdict – A Touching Debut and a Showcase for June SquibbEleanor the Great is a heartfelt and bittersweet drama about grief, lies, and the human need for connection, carried by June Squibb’s remarkable performance. While not without pacing flaws, it is an impressive debut for Scarlett Johansson as a director. The film balances humor and sorrow with tenderness, reminding us that even in our final years, we are still capable of growth, love, and mistakes. Expect it to linger long after the credits roll.

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