“Eternity” is a 2025 American fantasy romantic comedy film directed by David Freyne. It stars Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The film follows a woman (Olsen) who must choose between two men with whom to spend eternity in the afterlife. While it is technically a contemporary rom-com, it poses some interesting thoughts that prompted me to reflect deeply.
At the beginning of the film, we meet Joan and Larry Cutler, a romantic older couple who have been married and built a life together for over 60 years. They resemble many long-time couples, showcasing driving critiques of each other and ornery interactions. Joan is battling cancer and trying to hide her chemo port from her children and guests at a baby reveal party. Simultaneously, Larry has a strong addiction to peanuts and pretzels.
This addiction comes into play during the reveal party when Larry chokes and ultimately dies. He enters a version of eternity, a non-religious interpretation of Heaven where individuals have a brief period to decide where they want to spend the afterlife. Choices range from the mountains to the beach, with various travel guides akin to angels available to assist them.
While most people choose to spend eternity with their spouses, Larry’s wife Joan soon arrives, facing her own mortality due to cancer. However, in her youth, she was married to Luke, who was killed in the Korean War. Joan is faced with a tough decision: Will she spend eternity with her husband of 60+ years, or the man she never had a chance to be with? Alternatively, she could choose to spend eternity with neither.
The actors deliver strong performances. Da’Vine Joy Randolph portrays Larry’s (Miles Teller’s) eternity coordinator, Anna. Elizabeth Olsen plays Joan, while Callum Turner takes on the role of Luke, Joan’s former husband. The dynamic among the characters, including Joan’s other eternity coordinator, Ryan (played by John Early), showcases good chemistry. The film also features well-crafted cinematography and thought-provoking themes.
As someone who has experienced the loss of a spouse, this movie resonated with me personally. I lost my wife of over 40 years to cancer, but have since remarried. For anyone who has gone through a similar experience, the film evokes reflections on “what if” scenarios, particularly concerning the afterlife. I found myself both laughing and crying throughout the movie.
It also reminded me of a story from the Bible about two women fighting over a child, both claiming it as their own, and King Solomon’s wisdom in determining the true mother. This theme of true, lasting love requiring sacrifice and difficult decisions is well depicted, illustrating love’s profound impact, whether for a child or an adult.
Although the film doesn’t focus heavily on family dynamics, it subtly emphasizes that life is intrinsically tied to relationships with others, and what we do with that life has eternal consequences. While the story is fictional and not specifically religious, it effectively addresses these important concepts in an engaging manner.
I will note that I felt “Eternity” was slightly long, running just under two hours. The ending left some questions unanswered, and I would have preferred a tighter and more cohesive conclusion. Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable movie. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a rom-com that many will appreciate.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a thought-provoking 6.5. It’s worth seeing, even if it’s not perfect. It can provide a pleasant escape or serve as a great conversation starter for a date night about personal perceptions of the afterlife. Enjoy!
