USA 2025          
Opening December 4, 2025

Directed by: David Freyne
Writing credits: David Freyne, Patrick Cunnane
Principal actors: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Olga Merediz

Director David Freyne molded a rather ubiquitous word into a clever, funny, and timely excursion into good-time entertainment. Joan Cutler (Betty Buckley) and Larry’s (Barry Primus) easy bandying speaks volumes about their relationship driving to one of those family things. He reassures Joan he’ll keep her secret a little longer; overwhelmed by family members, old photographs, and his habit of eating too fast, Larry throws a wrench in their plans. Anyone thinking of eternity as clouds and angel-bearing harpists is clueless. Its rules and regulations, travel fairs and trade shows, and arrivals/departures gates are busier than Grand Central Station (NYC), St. Pancras International (London), and Gare du Nord (Paris) combined. Even more startling is that three individuals, inexplicably connected by one are here at the same time, albeit at different stages of their transition.

Larry’s (Miles Teller) transit is quick. Naturally Anna, (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) a long-timer and his afterlife coordinator, has lots to explain, “This isn’t paradise, this is just a transition between life and eternity.” And the rules, e.g., souls must choose their final destination in one week, plus the consequences of breaking the rules. Upon hearing Larry’s great love story, Anna’s torn between duty and the fairytale enchantment of forever-after love. Later, after telling the bartender Luke (Callum Turner), another long-timer, the guys commiserate over lost loves. In due course Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) arrives and is greeted by Ryan (John Early), her afterlife coordinator, encounters her neighbor Karen (Olga Merediz), and gets the shock of her (after)life. Anna and Ryan’s challenge is to try to help guide their souls’ decision making by providing options, while keeping their respective souls on a straight course. Without a doubt, “maybe the beauty of life is that everything ends.”

Teller, Olsen, and Turner’s comedic timing as they navigate David Freyne and Patrick Cunnane’s sprightly screenplay excels, with the cast in lockstep. Not to be left out, production values are seamless: Ruairí O'Brien’s cinematography, Joe Sawyer’s editing even though the film is a tic too long, and Zazu Myers’s production design. David Fleming’s score, with additional song choices by music supervisor Mandy Mamlet, hop, skip, and jump into a sweet slide when necessary. Any spirituality in Eternity is tempered in thoughtful reflection—about life, loss, love, last chances. With its original story and heartfelt doses of optimism and fantastical fun, Eternity is just the antidote for end of the year mayhem. 112 minutes (Marinell H.)