by Charles Kirkland Jr.
After a devastating loss, witty and proudly troublesome 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein remembers her friend in the worst of ways in Eleanor the Great.
Following the death of her lifelong friend Bessie, a converted Jew, Eleanor Morgenstein finds herself adrift in the quiet Florida retirement community she once moved to with her late husband. Concerned for her mother’s well-being, Eleanor’s daughter, Lisa, brings her back to New York to live with her and her teenage son, Max. In search of a new community, Eleanor wanders into the local Jewish Community Center and inadvertently joins a Holocaust survivors’ group, an experience that gradually draws her out of her shell and back into life.
Originally titled Eleanor, Invisible, Eleanor the Great marks the confident feature directorial debut of Scarlett Johansson, known until now for a pair of well-received short films. The movie had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, followed by a gala presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival. Written by Tory Kamen, the film is a deeply personal and emotionally intelligent exploration of grief, identity, and legacy. It stars June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
June Squibb, in her second major lead role following Thelma, gives a performance that is nothing short of remarkable. She captures Eleanor’s quiet sorrow, her dry humor, and her resilient spirit with a subtlety that feels both lived-in and authentic. There’s a palpable sense that Squibb is drawing from her own life experience, lending the character a profound depth and warmth. It’s a role that seems tailor-made for her, and she delivers it with grace and emotional precision.
British actress Erin Kellyman (Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) offers a touching counterpoint as a grief-stricken NYU student also searching for connection. Known for her politically charged and often intense performances, Kellyman reveals a softer, more vulnerable side here. Her portrayal is nuanced and affecting, expanding her range in a way that feels both natural and deeply empathetic.
At its core, Eleanor the Great is a meditation on loss—not just of loved ones, but of place, purpose, and time. Johansson’s direction is understated and respectful, allowing moments of silence and small gestures to speak volumes. The film also delves into Jewish customs and the trauma and resilience of Holocaust survivors with a reverence that never feels exploitative. It honors their stories and at the same time, reminds viewers that while these voices may one day fall silent, their experiences—and the lessons they carry—must endure.
Tender, funny, and heartbreakingly honest, Eleanor the Great affirms that grief is not a detour from life, but part of its messy, beautiful continuum. Johansson’s debut feature is a gentle triumph—and a quiet celebration of human connection in all its forms.
Eleanor the Great is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 26, 2025.
Grade: B-
