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Eleanor the Great
Upcoming film by Scarlett Johansson From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Eleanor the Great is a 2025 American drama film directed by Scarlett Johansson and written by Tory Kamen. It stars June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2025. It is scheduled to be released on September 26, 2025, by Sony Pictures Classics, while TriStar Pictures handles the International distribution.
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Premise
A 94-year-old Floridian woman strikes up an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old student in New York City.[1]
Cast
- June Squibb as Eleanor Morgenstein
- Erin Kellyman as Nina
- Jessica Hecht as Lisa
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger
- Rita Zohar as Bessie
- Will Price as Max
- Greg Kaston
Production
Summarize
Perspective
Scarlett Johansson expressed an early desire to direct, inspired at age 12 while observing Robert Redford during the filming of The Horse Whisperer (1998).[2] In September 2023, it was announced that Johansson would make her feature directorial debut with Eleanor, Invisible, a character-driven script by Tory Kamen about an elderly woman navigating loss and transition in New York City.[1][2]
The project was introduced to Johansson by Celine Rattray of Maven Screen Media. Moved by the script, Johansson decided to direct and produce the film. These Pictures co-founders Jonathan Lia and Keenan Flynn supported her involvement. Kamen, who had struggled for eight years to produce the screenplay, credited Johansson's industry influence for facilitating its realization.[2]
In February 2024, June Squibb, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, and Erin Kellyman joined the cast in undisclosed roles, with TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics partnering to distribute for the first time.[3] Squibb, 94 at the time, was then announced to be cast in the titular role, a decision Johansson deemed essential. The project received backing from Pinky Promise, a female-led production company, and Johansson was granted full creative autonomy. Hélène Louvart was chosen as director of photography,[2] and principal photography got underway in February 2024.[4] Filming locations included Coney Island, New York City,[5] which presented logistical challenges due to Squibb's age and the urban environment.[2] Filming wrapped in April.[6] Johansson also worked closely with the USC Shoah Foundation to ensure the authenticity of a subplot involving Holocaust survivors. Real survivors were cast for scenes depicting a support group.[2]
Release
In April 2025, Eleanor the Great was revealed to be part of the Un Certain Regard lineup at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on May 20, 2025.[7][8] It is scheduled to be released on September 26, 2025.[9]
Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 25 critics' reviews are positive.[10] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 50 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11]
Variety named June Squibb as one of the 5 actresses who are early contenders for the Academy Award for Best Actress of 2025.[12]
Accolades
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References
External links
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