ETERNITY

(director/writer: David Freyne; screenwriter:Pat Cunnane; cinematographer: Ruairí O’Brien; editor: Joe Sawyer; music:David Fleming; cast:Miles Teller (Larry), Elisabeth Olsen (Joan), Callum Turner (Luke), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Anna), John Early (Ryan), Olga Merediz (Karen); Runtime: 108; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Tim White, Trevor White;A24; 2025)

“Disarmingly clever.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

David Freyne (“The Cured”/”Dating Amber”), the Irish filmmaker, directs this bittersweet rom/com afterlife film he co-writes with Pat Cunnane. The screenplay is slightly amusing and disarmingly clever.

The long-time married couple of 65 years, Joan (Elisabeth Olsen) and Larry (Miles Teller), die a few days apart. Larry chokes on a pretzel, while cancer takes Joan’s life. They both end up in an ‘afterlife’ space, which looks like a waiting room in an air terminal. They appear there as when they were young and happy. The place provides every soul an AC (‘afterlife consultant’) to help them choose with-in a week who they want to partner with in eternity. Larry’s adviser is Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), while Joan’s AC is Ryan (John Early).

We wonder who the lady takes with her on her next after-life stop. The dashing Luke has been waiting around for 67 years to meet Joan again (he was killed during the Korean War) and the solid regular guy hubby Larry doesn’t want to lose her. Both men make their pitch for her.

I can’t say this is my kind of story, but the actors are good, it’s well-crafted and it’s emotionally pleasing. The fantasy high concept indie has something superficial to say about falling in love forever that seemed acceptable. But the story’s suspense fizzled out in the end, making it an unexciting watch.


It played at the Toronto Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 10/14/2025  GRADE: B-
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