Eternity Review: Elizabeth Olsen Resurrects the Love Triangle for 2025

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It’s interesting how actors view romantic comedies. Some actively pursue these roles, almost seeing it as a necessary step in their careers, while others avoid them, considering them embarrassing. Luckily for audiences, Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner were eager to star in A24’s new film, a charming movie that might just become a Thanksgiving tradition.

David Freyne directs and co-wrote the screenplay for this film, and it’s exciting to see a relatively new director deliver such a strong result. While not his first film, Eternity marks a significant step forward, pairing him with talented actors and a major studio. Freyne makes a fantastic impression with this high-concept story set in the space between life and death – or, as the film calls it, ‘eternity.’ The plot centers on a woman forced to choose between her two husbands. While the romance is captivating, the film truly shines because of its insightful exploration of how we imagine happiness.

Eternity Is a Smart Rom-Com With a Lot of Heart

Although Elizabeth Olsen’s character is central to the charming and unusual love story, the film Eternity actually follows Miles Teller’s character, Larry, and his experience after death. The story begins with Larry, an elderly man, unexpectedly dying at a baby shower. He then finds himself back in his younger body, given a week to decide what his perfect afterlife will be like. The film reveals that some afterlife options have been discontinued, others are already full, and some are surprisingly ordinary.

Shortly after Joan passes away from cancer, looking as stylish as ever, life seems peaceful for the couple who shared over 60 years together, despite their playful arguments. However, waiting for her is Joan’s first husband, Luke, portrayed by Callum Turner, who died in the Korean War and has been waiting for her ever since. Now, Elizabeth Olsen’s character faces an impossible choice: to be with Miles Teller’s character or Callum Turner’s.

The film does a great job of establishing the rules and feel of the afterlife throughout. Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early play Anna and Ryan, two guides for the newly deceased, and their playful dynamic adds a charming romantic tension as they both seem interested in Joan. They explain this new world in a way that feels natural, both for the characters and the audience. Despite having a lot of mythology surrounding the afterlife, the film avoids overwhelming viewers with too much information at once.

I find it fascinating how much discussion revolves around the details of the limbo process in Eternity, but honestly, that’s not what really grabbed me. What the film truly explores, I think, is how people – especially women – figure out what actually makes them happy and fulfilled. It even considers the idea that Joan might not need to choose either man, but also beautifully acknowledges that wanting a loving relationship is perfectly valid. The setting – a sales convention for different versions of paradise – feels so deliberate. It’s like the film is suggesting that sometimes, finding happiness feels a little like making a deal, doesn’t it?

Eternity Makes the Love Triangle Cool Again

While many stories feature youthful protagonists, Eternity distinguishes itself by layering in the weight of experience and the passage of time. Despite being in their 30s, actors Olsen, Teller, and Turner all play characters who have lived for at least 80 years. Even Luke, who dies young in the story, has a rich backstory filled with adventures in a 1960s-inspired afterlife.

This isn’t a typical story about a first love. It features an older woman, a grandmother, choosing between two men who are also experienced – though perhaps not Larry quite as much. What’s charming is seeing the spark of young love rekindled as they compete for her attention. Luke reminds Joan of a simpler time, before responsibilities like children, a house, or health concerns weighed her down. Meanwhile, Larry’s playful, somewhat immature efforts to win her back add a lighthearted, youthful energy to the story.

Joan’s choice in Eternity could alienate some viewers, and it might be one of the most thought-provoking decisions on television this year. However, it’s refreshing because the show doesn’t shy away from the difficult nature of the choice. The situation echoes a scene from Modern Family where Jay and Gloria are planning their burial plots, and Gloria jokingly considers who she might be buried next to after Jay passes away, given the large age difference. Joan’s situation reminds us that over a long lifetime, we often overlook important considerations.

Joan finds herself caught between the familiar and the mysterious, and despite the potentially somber subject matter, the film is surprisingly heartwarming. It bravely tackles themes of death and what might come next. While it appears to be a traditional love triangle, the film often explores love in a way that feels uniquely queer, both in overt and understated ways.

Elizabeth Olsen and Da’Vine Joy Randolph Are the Heart of Eternity

Teller and Olsen brilliantly capture the complexities of portraying characters who are physically young but possess older, more mature personalities. Olsen, in particular, effortlessly embodies a classic, vintage style in her speech and delivery, making her ideal for roles as traditional women. These talents are clearly showcased in their work, including I Saw the Line.

Regina Randolph truly shines in her supporting role as Anna, who guides Larry through the afterlife. She’s both his enthusiastic supporter and a voice of reason, providing much of the film’s humor while also acting as its moral center. The only real weakness is that a subplot involving her character isn’t fully resolved, which is a shame, especially considering Randolph hasn’t starred in a leading role since winning an Academy Award.

While ‘Eternity’ appeals to everyone, the core story about Joan and Anne’s search for love feels particularly geared towards female audiences. The film features powerful scenes, especially towards the end, where Joan tries to rebuild her life by revisiting her memories – Elizabeth Olsen delivers a truly impressive performance in these moments. These scenes are deeply emotional and explore themes of love and loss in a way that’s both moving and heartbreaking.

Joan is torn between two men because she deeply loves them both. Choosing one would mean losing the other forever, a uniquely painful situation. It’s a powerful, complex love, similar to the dilemma faced in WandaVision, where a character must choose between personal happiness and doing what’s right. As the show poignantly asks, “What is grief, if not love persevering?”

Eternity premieres November 26, 2025 in theaters.

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2025-11-27 22:17