Scarlett Johansson, already a household name for her acting prowess, has stepped behind the camera for her feature film directorial debut with "Eleanor the Great." According to NBC Palm Springs, Johansson directs a cast led by Academy Award nominee June Squibb, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Erin Kellyman, in a drama-comedy that has quickly become a talking point on the international film circuit. With its blend of humor and heartbreak, the film is already being touted as a contender for the upcoming Academy Awards, having made notable appearances in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival and at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Set against the bustling backdrop of New York City, "Eleanor the Great" follows the journey of Eleanor Morgenstein, a sharp-witted and often acerbic 94-year-old widow. After the death of her best friend and roommate in Florida, Eleanor is uprooted and moves north, seeking a new beginning amid the chaos and opportunity of the city. The story, as detailed by The Edwardsville Intelligencer, is not just about loss, but about the enduring power of friendship, memory, and intergenerational connection.
June Squibb, in a role that critics have described as both moving and deeply believable, brings Eleanor to life with a performance that oscillates between biting humor and poignant vulnerability. The film introduces audiences to a cast of characters who orbit Eleanor's world: Nina, a young student mourning her own mother's death (played by Erin Kellyman); Lisa, Eleanor's daughter who believes her mother would be better off in assisted living (Jessica Hecht); Roger, Nina's father and a local New York television star (Chiwetel Ejiofor); Bessie, a Holocaust survivor and Eleanor’s best friend (Rita Zohar); and Max, Eleanor’s grandson (Will Price).
One of the film’s most powerful moments comes when Eleanor, surrounded by a group of Holocaust survivors, recounts a story from her time in a concentration camp. This narrative thread, as highlighted by The Edwardsville Intelligencer, takes on a "devastating life of its own," anchoring the film’s emotional core and providing a stark reminder of the traumas that shape—and sometimes haunt—our later years. It’s a testament to the film’s script, penned by Tory Kamen, that such heavy subject matter is handled with both sensitivity and authenticity.
But "Eleanor the Great" isn’t all somber reflection. The film is peppered with moments of levity—particularly in the exchanges between Eleanor and her daughter Lisa. These scenes, at times funny and at others quietly heartbreaking, capture the complexity of adult relationships, especially as roles reverse and children become caretakers to their aging parents. According to The Edwardsville Intelligencer, the acting across the board is "superb," with each character offering something unique and memorable to the tapestry of the film.
Johansson’s direction has drawn widespread praise. As NBC Palm Springs notes, a movie director’s job is to oversee the creative vision, select the cast, guide actors and crew from pre-production through post-production, and help shape the final edit. For her first time helming a feature, Johansson has "hit it out of the park," deftly weaving together Kamen’s script, a talented cast, and a story that resonates on multiple levels. The result is a film that feels both intimate and universal, drawing viewers into Eleanor’s world and asking them to consider their own friendships, losses, and hopes for the future.
The chemistry between June Squibb’s Eleanor and Erin Kellyman’s Nina is especially noteworthy. Their scenes together, described as "touching" and "warm," showcase two women at different stages of life, each grappling with grief and loneliness. Through their unlikely friendship, both find the solace and understanding they so desperately need. It’s a reminder, as one reviewer put it, that "each woman provides the warmth and friendship the other was so desperate for."
The film does not shy away from the realities of aging, but it refuses to reduce its older characters to stereotypes. Instead, it presents Eleanor as a fully realized individual—funny, stubborn, vulnerable, and resilient. It’s rare to see a film centered on a 94-year-old widow, and rarer still for that character to be treated with such respect and complexity. As The Edwardsville Intelligencer points out, the film is rated PG-13 not because of explicit content, but because its themes are best understood by adults. There’s no sex, foul language, or violence—just the honest, sometimes messy, experiences of growing older and facing life’s inevitable changes.
For those hoping to catch "Eleanor the Great," The Edwardsville Intelligencer notes that the film is currently screening in St. Louis as of October 1, 2025. While its limited release may mean a bit of a road trip for some, reviewers insist it’s "well worth your time and money," with one critic awarding it a full five stars. The film’s blend of humor and heartbreak, coupled with standout performances and Johansson’s assured direction, have made it a must-see for anyone interested in stories about family, friendship, and the ties that bind us across generations.
It’s not just the critics who have been moved by the film; audiences, too, have responded to its emotional honesty and nuanced storytelling. For many, the film has served as a reminder of their own friendships and the ways in which loss and love can shape a life. "I have been blessed in my life with great friends," one reviewer wrote, "and this film touched my very soul because it reminded me of my friendship." It’s this universality—the ability to speak to viewers from all walks of life—that may ultimately secure "Eleanor the Great" a place among this year’s most celebrated films.
With its compelling performances, deft direction, and a script that balances humor with heartbreak, "Eleanor the Great" stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. As awards season approaches, all eyes will be on Scarlett Johansson and her extraordinary cast to see just how far this remarkable debut will go.
