Every so often, a film arrives that manages to take a high-concept premise and ground it in such profound human emotion that it lingers in your mind for days. Eternity (2025), directed and written by David Freyne, is exactly that kind of cinematic experience. Produced by Apple Original Films and Star Thrower Entertainment, this Fantasy Drama made a significant splash during its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025. By the time it saw a nationwide theatrical release on November 26, 2025, it had already established itself as one of the most talked-about titles of the year, eventually earning $22 million at the box office.
The story centers on Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), a woman who has recently passed away and finds herself in a surprisingly bureaucratic yet beautiful afterlife. She is presented with a choice that seems both a gift and a curse. She has exactly one week to decide where and with whom she will spend forever. The dilemma is agonizing. On one side is Larry (Miles Teller), the man she built a long, complicated, and deeply loving life with on Earth. On the other side is Luke (Callum Turner), her first husband and great "what-if" love, who died young in the Korean War and has been waiting decades for her to arrive. It is a premise that forces the audience to look inward, asking what truly defines a soulmate: the shared history of a life lived or the untarnished passion of a youth cut short?
Story and Screenplay: The Impossible Weight of a Final Decision
The narrative quality of Eternity is defined by its restraint. David Freyne, who previously explored social themes through the lens of horror in The Cured, proves here to be a master of the Romance genre as well. The structure of the screenplay follows Joan's week of decision, with the days serving as a ticking clock that heightens the emotional stakes. Instead of relying on flashy supernatural world-building, Freyne focuses on the conversations, the memories, and the sheer exhaustion of having to make a choice that has no expiration date.
The pacing and rhythm of the film are generally excellent, though the script does run into some minor hurdles as it enters the third act. Attempting to resolve such a massive philosophical question in under two hours is no easy feat, and the conclusion feels slightly rushed compared to the deliberate, soulful build-up of the first two acts. However, the originality of the themes carries the film through these moments. Freyne introduces fascinating concepts about the nature of "forever," suggesting that a personalized paradise (like spending eternity on a perfect beach) might actually be a terrifying prospect for the human mind to comprehend.
Where the script truly shines is in its refusal to make either choice easy. Larry is not a perfect man, and his relationship with Joan had its share of friction, yet it is rooted in the reality of decades of partnership. Luke, conversely, is a time capsule of idealized love. He is still the young man Joan lost, frozen in time and untouched by the mundane struggles of aging or domesticity. This creates a fascinating thematic tension between the beauty of reality and the allure of perfection.
Trailer Eternity (2025)
Acting and Characters: A Masterclass in Emotional Nuance
The success of a Movie Review often hinges on the strength of the ensemble, and Eternity boasts one of the finest of the 2025 Movie season. Elizabeth Olsen delivers a career-best performance as Joan. She captures the disorientation of the newly deceased with a quiet grace, but it is her portrayal of a woman torn between two distinct versions of herself that truly resonates. Olsen manages to look at both Miles Teller and Callum Turner with a specific kind of longing that makes the audience understand why this choice is so impossible.
Miles Teller is equally impressive as Larry. Avoiding the tropes of the "stuffy husband," Teller plays Larry with a grounded, lived-in warmth. We see the history in his eyes; he is the man who knows Joan’s favorite coffee, her deepest fears, and her annoying habits. Callum Turner, as Luke, has the perhaps more difficult task of playing an idealized memory. He brings a vibrant, youthful energy to the role that contrasts sharply with Teller’s more mature presence. The chemistry Joan shares with both men is palpable but entirely different in nature, which is essential for the film’s central conflict to work.
Special mention must be made of the "Afterlife Coordinators," played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph and John Early. Randolph’s Anna and Early’s Ryan provide a much-needed touch of humor and world-weariness to the proceedings. They treat the transition of souls with the same bureaucratic nonchalance one might find at a high-end travel agency. While some might wish these characters were fleshed out even further, their presence adds a layer of "Golden Age of Hollywood" whimsy that keeps the film from becoming too heavy or somber.
Direction and Technical Aspects: Visualizing the Infinite
David Freyne’s vision for the afterlife is refreshingly minimalist. Eschewing the traditional "pearly gates" imagery, the film presents an afterlife that looks and feels like a highly curated vacation resort. This production design choice is brilliant because it highlights the underlying darkness of the concept. If you can choose any place to spend eternity, how long before that place becomes a prison? The cinematography uses soft, natural light to create a dreamlike atmosphere, but there is always a sharp clarity to the images that prevents the film from feeling too ethereal.
The visual storytelling is at its best during the sequences where Joan revisits her past. The editing seamlessly weaves together her present-day afterlife experiences with fragmented memories of her life on Earth. This creates a sensory experience where the past and the potential future are constantly colliding. The production design of the various "eternity options" (ranging from cozy cabins to sun-drenched coastlines) is gorgeous, but Freyne always keeps the focus on the actors' faces. The technical aspects are always subservient to the emotional core of the Film Review, which is a testament to Freyne’s discipline as a director.
Music and Atmosphere: The Sound of Longing and Peace
The score for Eternity is a rich, textured production that avoids the sentimental swells often found in supernatural romances. Instead, the music uses subtle, recurring motifs that mirror Joan’s internal state. There is a specific melodic line associated with her life with Larry that feels heavy and grounded, while the music accompanying her scenes with Luke is lighter, faster, and more expectant. This audio contrast helps the audience subconsciously track Joan’s emotional pull throughout the week.
The sound design also plays a major role in creating the film’s unique mood. The afterlife is characterized by a strange, unnatural quietness. The wind on the beach or the sound of a distant conversation feels just a bit too perfect, a bit too isolated. This enhances the overall tone of "peace with an undercurrent of dread." The film succeeds in making the afterlife feel like a place where one could easily find rest, but also a place where one could lose themselves in the sheer scale of infinite time. It is an immersive experience that uses every tool in the shed to make the audience feel the weight of Joan’s ticking clock.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What works well:
- Exceptional Lead Performances: Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner create a convincing and heart-wrenching romantic triangle.
- Philosophical Depth: The film goes beyond a simple romance to explore the terrifying and beautiful nature of infinity and choice.
- Tonal Balance: The inclusion of the afterlife coordinators adds a layer of wit and charm that balances the heavy emotional drama.
- Visual Restraint: The decision to keep the afterlife grounded and "real" makes the central dilemma feel more relatable.
- Atmospheric Score: The music perfectly complements the film's themes of memory and longing without becoming overbearing.
What doesn't work:
- Third Act Resolution: The film struggles slightly to wrap up its massive high-concept premise, leading to a conclusion that feels a bit hurried.
- Underdeveloped Side Characters: While the afterlife coordinators are great, a bit more time spent on their roles could have enriched the world-building.
- Pacing Dips: There are a few moments in the middle of the week where the momentum slows down just a bit too much before the final push.
Final Verdict: A Modern Classic of Supernatural Romance
Rating: 4/5 stars
In a year filled with loud blockbusters, Eternity is a quiet, powerful reminder of the strength of character-driven storytelling. It is a Film Review that challenges its viewers to consider what they value most: the comfort of the known or the potential of the lost. David Freyne has crafted a movie that feels like a throwback to the sweeping, philosophical dramas of the mid-20th century while remaining firmly rooted in a modern sensibility.
Overall, Eternity is a triumph of the Fantasy genre. It avoids the easy answers and the predictable endings, opting instead for an emotional honesty that is rare in contemporary cinema. The film’s exploration of love, death, and the crushing weight of "forever" makes it a mandatory watch for anyone who appreciates a story that respects the intelligence and the hearts of its audience.
Who should watch it? This film is a must-see for fans of romantic dramas with a philosophical or supernatural twist. If you enjoyed films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or A Matter of Life and Death, you will find much to admire here. It is also an essential watch for fans of Elizabeth Olsen, as it showcases her incredible range as a dramatic actress.
Who might not enjoy it? Those looking for a traditional, lighthearted romantic comedy might find the existential dread and the focus on death to be a bit too heavy. Additionally, viewers who prefer fast-paced action or complex, plot-heavy fantasy world-building might find the film's intimate, character-focused approach to be too slow for their tastes.
Eternity is a beautiful, haunting, and ultimately hopeful film about the choices we make and the legacies of love we leave behind. It is one of the standout releases of 2025 and a film that will likely be discussed for years to come.
Recommendation: See it on the biggest screen possible to fully appreciate the atmospheric direction, but bring tissues for the final act.
 Movie Review: A Soul-Stirring Choice Between the Past and Forever){kind=link}
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