‘Eleanor the Great’ – Review
When an artist as talented and versatile as Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut, expectations are sky-high. Thankfully, Eleanor the Great not only meets the: it soars far above. With her first feature behind the camera, Johansson delivers one of the most moving, dramatically rich, and delightfully funny films of the year. Anchored by a radiant, career-defining performance from the indomitable June Squibb, Eleanor the Great is a film that pulses with empathy, humor, and heart. It’s a love letter to living, loss, and late-life rediscovery, and it cements Johansson as a filmmaker to watch.
After the death of her oldest friend, 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein moves to New York City for a fresh start. Wandering into a support group for Holocaust survivors, she tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own.
Set against the warm, chaotic hum of New York City, Eleanor the Great follows Eleanor Morgenstein (Squibb), an 85-year-old widow whose quiet life in Florida is upended by loss. Struggling with grief, she makes a sudden decision to return to her roots in Manhattan; a city she hasn’t called home in decades. What begins as a simple trip turns into a journey of self-discovery, as Eleanor reconnects with old friends, meets new ones, and rediscovers the vibrant, imperfect beauty of life itself.
Johansson, known for her sharp emotional intuition as an actor, brings that same precision and depth to her direction. Her touch is light yet confident, each frame alive with detail, each emotional beat earned. She has a knack for balancing the bittersweet; every pang of sadness is tempered by laughter, every moment of reflection underscored by hope. This tonal balance, tender but never sentimental, poignant yet playful, gives Eleanor the Great its irresistible charm.
At the film’s center is June Squibb, who delivers nothing short of magic. At 95, Squibb is luminous, sharp-witted, and utterly commanding. Her portrayal of Eleanor is a masterclass in understated power, she’s funny, cantankerous, and profoundly human. There’s a glint in her eye that captures decades of life lived, and Johansson knows just when to linger, allowing Squibb’s expressions to say more than words ever could. It’s the kind of performance that reminds audiences why cinema exists: to make us feel, laugh, and see ourselves in others.
Surrounding Squibb is an exceptional supporting cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, and the ever-reliable Ayo Edebiri, all of whom shine in their roles as the people who reawaken Eleanor’s zest for life. Their chemistry is organic, filled with warmth and humor that radiate through the screen.
Visually, the film is stunning. Johansson and cinematographer Matthew Libatique craft a visual world that feels both intimate and alive — soft sunlight spilling through windows, bustling street corners painted in nostalgic hues, and moments of quiet solitude that feel deeply personal. The score, composed by Alexandre Desplat, dances gently between melancholy and joy, perfectly matching Eleanor’s emotional rhythm.
But what truly sets Eleanor the Great apart is its honesty. This is a story about aging — not as decline, but as evolution. Johansson refuses to patronize her audience; instead, she celebrates the complexity and courage of growing old. The film reminds us that it’s never too late to start again, never too late to feel something new, never too late to be great.
By its closing act, Eleanor the Great has taken audiences on a full emotional journey — one filled with laughter, tears, and a renewed appreciation for life’s fleeting beauty. It’s the rare film that leaves you lighter and fuller at the same time, a cinematic hug that lingers long after the credits roll.
With Eleanor the Great, Scarlett Johansson proves herself not only one of Hollywood’s brightest stars but one of its most compassionate new directors. This is filmmaking with heart and soul — honest, hilarious, and profoundly human. And in June Squibb’s radiant performance, we witness one of the year’s most unforgettable turns.
Eleanor the Great is, without question, one of 2025’s best films — a moving, funny, and heartwarming triumph that reminds us all what it means to truly live.
Image: Sony Pictures
