Eleanor Morgenstein (portrayed by Oscar-nominee June Squibb), is a spirited, compulsive, boundary-lacking 95 year old woman full of life living with her best friend Bessie Stern (Rita Zohar) in Florida. Their bond unshakable after years of living together and many life-experiences shared, including Bessie’s confiding in Eleanor the terrible things she endured as a survivor of the Holocaust.
The pair’s fun and games abruptly end when Bessie has a medical episode when out shopping together and Eleanor quickly relocates to New York City to live with her daughter Lisa (Jessica Hecht) and grandson Max (Will Price) with the grief of her loss.
While settling in, Eleanor stumbles upon a Holocaust Survivor Support Group at the Manhattan Jewish Community Centre, is invited to participate, and begins to share her story. However, unbeknownst to everyone else, the story isn’t Eleanor’s – it’s the story of her late best friend, Bessie.
The story attracts the attention of journalism student, Nina (Erin Kellyman), and her news anchor father, Roger (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who’re mourning their own loss in the death of Nina’s mother and provide Eleanor the attention (that quickly blossoms into a friendship) she wants.
Learning of Nina’s loss and resulting difficulties with her father, Eleanor still maintains her illusion to honour her best friend’s life regardless of who, or how many, it will eventually hurt – setting up the main conflict for Eleanor the Great (2025).
June Squibb’s performance of Eleanor is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing a range, depth, and complexity of character that is rarely provided for in elderly characters while Erin Kellyman and Chiwetel Ejiofor deliver emotionally impactful range in their roles as mourning daughter and father.
Written by Tory Kamen, Eleanor the Great (2025) depicts some of the unpredictable reactions and struggles that we can experience from loss. Contrasting that theme, the film also shares the beautiful relationships and experiences that can form through intergenerational relationships/friendships (although I would personally suggest under more honest terms) creating a complex and nuanced exploration of human emotion dotted with moments of colourful humour.
Eleanor the Great (2025) also provides insight to the complex role that religion plays in areas of aging, belonging, and grief, while honouring the historical heritage and significance of the Jewish faith through the authentic casting of real Holocaust survivors in collaboration with the USC Shoah Foundation (a nonprofit organization dedicated to making audio-visual interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust) – a ‘… never optional. It was essential,’ directorial choice made by Johansson,
‘I felt very humbled to be in this group of people who have experienced the unthinkable, and are survivors from that. It was so touching, so moving. I mean, I can’t even really put it into words how powerful it was to hear from each one of them individually. It was extraordinary.’
This attention to detail and incorporating elements of her own history in the creation of Eleanor the Great (2025) is what makes Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut not only a must-see experience, but also selflessly transforms the film into a preservation of Jewish memory and dignity.
★ ★ ★ ★½ ☆
Note:
Eleanor the Great (2025) celebrated its North American premiere during TIFF 2025 (September 4th – 14th, 2025). Sony Pictures Classics will release the film theatrically September 26th, 2025.
Director Scarlett Johansson on set during production of Eleanor the Great (2025).
Photo Credit: Anne Joyce, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (Roger) at the North American premiere of Eleanor the Great (2025) during the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada (September 4th – 14th, 2025).
Photo Credit: Bev Belanger for SERIAL SEAN
Actor Erin Kellyman (Nina) at the North American premiere of Eleanor the Great (2025) during the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada (September 4th – 14th, 2025).
Photo Credit: Bev Belanger for SERIAL SEAN
Actor June Squibb (Eleanor) at the North American premiere of Eleanor the Great (2025) during the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada (September 4th – 14th, 2025).
Photo Credit: Bev Belanger for SERIAL SEAN
Director Scarlett Johansson at the North American premiere of Eleanor the Great (2025) during the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada (September 4th – 14th, 2025).
Photo Credit: Bev Belanger for SERIAL SEAN
Director Scarlett Johansson and Actors: June Squibb (Eleanor), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Roger), Erin Kellyman (Nina) at the North American premiere of Eleanor the Great (2025) during the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada (September 4th – 14th, 2025).
Photo Credit: Bev Belanger for SERIAL SEAN
Header Image:
June Squibb as Eleanor and Rita Zohar as Bessie in Eleanor the Great (2025).
Film still courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics