Eleanore the Great: Scarlett Johansson Delivers a Heart-Wrenching Debut

Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanore the Great is a deeply moving debut that explores grief, faith, and unlikely friendship with striking intimacy. The film follows Eleanore (June Squibb), a 90-year-old widow who, while grieving the loss of her best friend, stumbles into a support group for Holocaust survivors and begins sharing her late friend’s story as her own. This choice sparks a heartfelt connection with Nina (Erin Kellyman), a young journalism student seeking solace after her mother’s death.

Johansson’s direction shines in quiet, emotional details—lingering pauses, subtle glances, and the weight of unspoken truths—creating a film that feels both intimate and cinematic. Squibb delivers a career-defining performance, supported by Kellyman’s raw vulnerability and Rita Zohar’s unforgettable presence.

Tender, layered, and heartbreaking, Eleanore the Great is a meditation on love, loss, and the stories we carry.

🔗 Read my full review for a closer look at this powerful debut.