Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut: Unveiling the Sweet yet Controversial ‘Eleanor The Great’

Meet Eleanor Morgenstein, the sharp-tongued nonagenarian portrayed by June Squibb in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, *Eleanor The Great*. Eleanor has just lost her best friend, Bessie, and in her grief, she decides to tell a lie that spirals out of control. The film explores themes like aging, loss, Jewish identity, and the struggle to discern truth in a world filled with misinformation. However, it often pushes the audience to unconditionally adore Eleanor, even when her actions are questionable.

Eleanor shares a home in Los Angeles with Bessie, a friendship that has lasted over 70 years. They keep each other company, trading quips and keeping spirits high, though Bessie struggles with haunting memories from her childhood in Poland during the Holocaust. These stories of survival create a deep bond between them, one that lasts even after Bessie’s passing.

After Bessie’s death, Eleanor moves to New York to live with her estranged daughter, Lisa. Their relationship is tense from the start, filled with sharp criticisms and generational disconnect. Lisa signs Eleanor up for events at the local Jewish Community Center, hoping to keep her busy. At one of these events, Eleanor accidentally joins a support group for Holocaust survivors. Rather than admit her mistake, she yarns tales from Bessie’s experiences, feeling a sense of belonging she lost with Bessie’s death.

A college journalism student named Nina becomes interested in Eleanor’s stories while working on an article. Nina, who is also dealing with grief after losing her mother, finds a kindred spirit in Eleanor. Their friendship deepens, but Eleanor continues to build her identity around Bessie’s past. This deception snowballs, drawing in Nina and her father, a charming TV host who becomes fascinated with Eleanor’s fabricated narrative.

June Squibb, who turns 96 soon, has a knack for playing feisty characters. In *Eleanor The Great*, she brings charm and spunk to the character. Often, Eleanor’s little lies come off as harmless, but her invention of a fabricated life as a Holocaust survivor raises serious moral questions. The film hints at these complexities, but ultimately chooses a lighter path, shying away from the darker themes that could offer deeper insight.

Recent discussions around representation of Jewish experiences in media have brought this topic to the forefront. The Jewish community has had deep conversations about identity and trauma, especially in light of ongoing global conflicts. While *Eleanor The Great* attempts to touch on these themes, it often opts for a feel-good conclusion instead of engaging with the weight of its subject matter. Eleanor is presented as an endearing character, yet her manipulations go largely unexamined, minimizing the impact of her actions.

In the end, *Eleanor The Great* raises questions about morality and the complexities of grief. It wants to evoke empathy, but the film often feels more concerned with keeping the tone light rather than delving into the messy realities of life and loss. It could have been a profound exploration of sorrow, truth, and identity, but instead settles for a sugary-sweet resolution that barely scratches the surface.

Director: Scarlett Johansson
Writer: Tory Kamen
Starring: June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, Rita Zohar, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Release Date: September 26, 2025

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