TIFF 2025 Review: Eleanor the Great

Eleanor the Great : Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut with June Squibb Shining at 95

We all know Scarlett Johansson as a talented, beautiful, and versatile actress who’s been a Hollywood mainstay for decades. Now, she steps behind the camera for her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great. While Johansson’s first outing as a director carries plenty of weight, the real star of the show is 95-year-old June Squibb. Known for her Oscar-nominated turn in Nebraska (2013) and her first leading role in Thelma last year, Squibb once again proves why she’s such a treasure delivering a performance that’s equal parts heartwarming, funny, and full of life.

The film introduces us to Eleanor, a sharp, stubborn, and loveable 94-year-old, living with her best friend Bessie (Rita Zohar). Their early scenes together from grocery shopping, chatting in bed, and sharing platonic love are some of the most heartwarming moments of the film. Watching them, I couldn’t help but think, “That’s the kind of friendship I want when I’m in my 90s.” But just as you’re settled into this sweet rhythm, the story takes a dramatic turn: Bessie dies suddenly, leaving Eleanor alone.

From there, Eleanor relocates to New York City to live with her daughter Lisa (Jessica Hecht) and grandson Max (Will Price). It’s a reminder that starting over after a major life change isn’t something reserved for people in their 20s or 30s  it can happen at any age. Lisa encourages her mother to make friends and sends her to a Jewish Community Center. But when Eleanor realizes she’s mistakenly wandered into a Holocaust survivor support group, she’s ready to leave until everyone assumes she’s sharing her own trauma. Instead, Eleanor begins retelling the story of her late friend Bessie as if it were her own.

This leads to an unexpected connection with Nina (Erin Kellyman), a young NYU journalism student who is deeply moved by Eleanor’s story. As Nina starts writing about her, Eleanor finds herself drawn into a new friendship that helps both women heal from their grief. But when Nina’s father, high-profile TV commentator Roger Davis (Chiwetel Ejiofor), takes an interest, the question of truth looms large. What begins as a touching bond becomes complicated when it’s built on a lie.

As a debut, Johansson shows real promise as a director, blending humor, grief, and themes of human connection. The film explores identity, resilience, and the lengths we go to feel seen and heard. At its core, it also raises important questions: Whose stories are we allowed to tell? And what responsibility do we have when carrying someone else’s truth?

While Eleanor the Great doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s heartfelt, warm, and poignant. There are laughs, a few tears, and plenty of moments that remind us of the importance of connection, even in our later years.

And of course, June Squibb is the undeniable standout. Watching her at 95, full of energy, wit, and presence, you forget her age entirely. She lights up every scene she’s in, proving yet again that she’s one of cinema’s most enduring treasures.

Watch the trailer for Eleanor the Great below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovkn1YdpYfg

Mongrel Media releases Eleanor the Great on Sept. 26 across Canada