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Eleanor the Great

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Eleanor the Great
Directed byScarlett Johansson
Written byTory Kamen
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHélène Louvart
Edited byHarry Jierjian
Music byDustin O'Halloran
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • May 20, 2025 (2025-05-20) (Cannes)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Eleanor the Great is a 2025 American drama film directed by Scarlett Johansson and written by Tory Kamen. It stars June Squibb, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, and Erin Kellyman.[1]

The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2025.[2]

Premise

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A 94-year-old Floridian woman strikes up an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old student in New York City.[3]

Cast

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Production

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Scarlett Johansson expressed an early desire to direct, inspired at age 12 while observing Robert Redford during the filming of The Horse Whisperer (1998).[4] 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.[3][4]

The project was introduced to Johansson by Celine Rattray of Maven Screen Media. Johansson, moved emotionally by the script, 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.[4]

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.[5] 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,[4] and principal photography got underway in February 2024.[6] Filming locations included Coney Island, New York City,[7] which presented logistical challenges due to Squibb's age and the urban environment.[4] Filming wrapped in April.[8] 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.[4]

Release

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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.[9][10]

Reception

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Critical reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 62% of 13 critics' reviews are positive.[11] 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.

References

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  1. ^ "ELEANOR THE GREAT". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  2. ^ "The films of the Official Selection 2025". Festival de Cannes. April 10, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Prasad, Sumith (December 2, 2023). "Scarlett Johansson to Make Her Directorial Debut With 'Eleanor, Invisible'". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Blyth, Antonia (May 13, 2025). "Scarlett Johansson On Why The Script For Her Directorial Debut 'Eleanor The Great' Made Her Cry: "It's About Forgiveness" – Cannes Cover Story". Deadline. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  5. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (February 23, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson's Directorial Debut 'Eleanor the Great' Sets Cast: June Squibb, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Melissa, Billie (February 28, 2024). "Eleanor the Great: Scarlett Johansson Spotted on Set of Her Directorial Debut". Mensjournal. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Braun, Don (February 27, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson at "Eleanor Invisible" Set in Coney Island in New York City 02/26/2024". celebmafia. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  8. ^ @whatsupscarlett (April 11, 2024). "According to a film crew, Eleanor The Great has already wrapped filming!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Shafer, Ellise (April 10, 2025). "Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  10. ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 78th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  11. ^ "Eleanor the Great". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
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