(L to R) Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner in ‘Eternity’. Photograph: A24.
Opening in theaters November 26 is ‘Eternity,’ directed by David Freyne and starring Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph, John Early, and Olga Merediz.
“You’ll be able to solely select one.”
Launch Date: Nov 26, 2025
Run Time: 1 hr 54 min
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Preliminary Ideas
(L to R) Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen in ‘Eternity’. Photograph: A24.
Traditional movies like ‘Defending Your Life’ and ‘Heaven Can Wait’ have discovered wealthy materials to mine for each comedy and romance in fantastical, usually whimsical depictions of the afterlife – or, extra particularly, the way in which stations we cease at on our journey earlier than shifting to no matter everlasting type of existence that afterlife takes.
‘Eternity,’ from director and co-writer David Freyne, traverses the identical mystical territory, channeling Albert Brooks’ ‘Defending Your Life’ particularly. However whereas Freyne’s function is amusing and pretty entertaining, its quite static path and light-weight remedy of its emotional core by no means make it really feel as transcendent because it might.
Story and Path
(L to R) Elizabeth Olsen and Olga Merediz in ‘Eternity’. Photograph: A24.
Aged couple Larry and Joan Cutler (Barry Primus and Betty Buckley) are visiting their household when Larry abruptly chokes to demise on a pretzel. He wakes as much as discover himself within the first stage of the afterlife, often called the Junction, the place not solely do you appear like you probably did once you have been at your happiest (on this case the type of Miles Teller) however the place you keep in a reasonably luxurious lodge whereas having per week to decide on the place you wish to spend eternity, in no matter method you resolve.
The choices are all obtainable in a humorous sort of market exterior the lodge, the place closing locations like Smoking World (‘most cancers can’t kill you twice’) and No Males World (‘offered out’) jostle for enterprise with extra mundane locales like mountain cabins and tropical seashores. However when you resolve on the place to spend eternity, the choice is closing. And when you resolve you wish to look forward to a beloved one to hitch you, you’ll be able to keep on the Junction, which is what Larry decides to take action he can look forward to Joan.
He doesn’t have to attend lengthy, as Joan succumbs to sickness not lengthy after and materializes wanting like Elizabeth Olsen. However there’s a hitch: Joan’s first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who was killed within the Korean Struggle not lengthy after they have been married, has been ready for her to point out up as properly. And now she should decide which of the 2 she desires to spend eternity with, and the place – though the foundations get a bit of cloudy at this level.
(L to R) Callum Turner and Elizabeth Olsen in ‘Eternity’. Photograph: A24.
All this data is relayed via heavy exposition by beings often called ‘afterlife coordinators,’ who’re assigned to every new arrival. Larry’s is performed by Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph, whereas John Early portrays Joan’s, and it’s a credit score to each performers that they kind of steal the film with their very own amusing rapport and bits of enterprise whereas explaining how this model of the afterlife works.
Freyne’s path shouldn’t be particularly fashionable, usually leading to lengthy, enervated pictures that don’t leap off the display however are luckily bolstered by his recreation forged. The film itself is entertaining sufficient in a low-key, low-stakes sort of manner, and the superficial remedy of the idea, the feelings at play, and the choices on the coronary heart of the movie render it rather a lot much less poignant or thought-provoking than it may very well be.
Solid and Performances
(L to R) John Early and Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph in ‘Eternity’. Photograph: A24.
Neither Miles Teller nor Elizabeth Olsen, whereas advantageous actors, are identified for his or her comedic chops, and ‘Eternity’ shouldn’t be going to vary that, actually. Each are good, and Teller does play in opposition to his common sort – both super-tense or swaggering – whereas Olsen’s pure enchantment powers her via the movie. One factor each actors do properly is use their physique language to remind you that they’re enjoying characters who, of their minds, are properly into previous age even when they appear like their youthful selves.
Much less spectacular is Callum Turner, though his character is maybe essentially the most poorly written of the three leads – a shining knight one second and a surly man-child the following. However the film’s scene-stealers are simply Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph and John Early because the afterlife coordinators. Each have a rapport and dynamic that gives each the largest snort strains and most of the movie’s funniest moments.
Remaining Ideas
(L to R) Callum Turner and Elizabeth Olsen in ‘Eternity’. Photograph: A24.
‘Eternity’ is an odd movie. It’s not notably cinematic, but its premise – a minimum of initially – is sort of intelligent and well-suited to an enormous display comedy. But neither the path nor the screenplay ever fairly make it hit residence emotionally, regardless of just a few stirring moments. The tip result’s an amiable try at a rom-com crowd-pleaser that will cross the time comparatively pleasantly however doesn’t make its insights as profound as they may very well be.
‘Eternity’ receives a rating of 65 out of 100.
(L to R) Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller in ‘Eternity’. Photograph: A24.
What’s the plot of ‘Eternity’?
In an afterlife the place souls have one week to resolve the place to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is confronted with the not possible alternative between the person she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her past love (Callum Turner), who died younger and has waited a long time for her to reach.
Who’s within the forged of ‘Eternity’?
- Miles Teller as Larry Cutler
- Elizabeth Olsen as Joan Cutler
- Callum Turner as Luke
- Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph as Anna
- John Early as Ryan
- Olga Merediz as Karen
- Barry Primus as Outdated Larry
- Betty Buckley as Outdated Joan
‘Eternity’ opens in theaters on November 14th.