Eternity: Elizabeth Olsen Faces an Impossible Afterlife Choice

A24's charming new rom-com Eternity just dropped its second trailer, promising a tender, funny, and beautifully bittersweet journey into the afterlife. Get ready for a heavenly love triangle like no other!

TL;DR

• Elizabeth Olsen stars as Joan, who has one week in the afterlife to choose between her late husband (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner).
• Directed by David Freyne, this A24 fantasy rom-com premiered to positive reviews at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival.
• Catch Eternity in select theaters starting November 14, 2025, with a wider release hitting cinemas on November 26, 2025.

A Heavenly Dilemma: Choosing Your Forever Partner in the Afterlife

Imagine this: you've just passed on, and instead of a straightforward pearly gates scenario, you're given a crucial task. In A24's upcoming fantasy rom-com Eternity, that's exactly what Joan, played by the incredible Elizabeth Olsen, has to do. In this unique afterlife, souls are granted a single week to make the most monumental decision of their existence: where they'll spend eternity. But for Joan, it’s not just about choosing a place; it's about choosing a person, specifically, between two very significant loves from her earthly life.

This isn't your typical romantic comedy. Freyne's film sets up a high-stakes, deeply personal dilemma in a truly imaginative setting. Joan finds herself torn between the man she spent her entire life with, Larry (Miles Teller), and her very first love, Luke (Callum Turner), who tragically died young in a war and has been patiently waiting for decades for her arrival in the great beyond. The trailer gives us a glimpse into this "retrofuturist purgatory" — a concept that sounds intriguing and hints at a visually distinctive world, reminiscent of classic, thought-provoking afterlife stories like Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep's Defending Your Life.

The emotional weight of this choice is immense. Larry represents the comfort, familiarity, and shared history of a life fully lived, while Luke embodies the potent, often idealized memory of first love, untouched by the complexities of years. How do you weigh decades of shared experience against the intense, untarnished spark of an early connection? This core conflict promises a narrative that is not only whimsically entertaining but also genuinely moving and relatable, exploring themes of love, loss, and the nature of connection beyond the boundaries of life.

Bringing the Afterlife to Life with an Exceptional Ensemble Cast

A film with such a high-concept premise needs a cast capable of carrying its emotional depth and comedic timing, and Eternity definitely delivers. Leading the charge is Elizabeth Olsen, known for her powerful dramatic performances in projects like WandaVision and her nuanced roles in independent cinema. Her ability to convey complex emotions with a subtle grace makes her perfectly suited to portray Joan's impossible dilemma, bringing both vulnerability and strength to a character navigating an unparalleled romantic choice.

Joining Olsen in this celestial love triangle are two charismatic leading men. Miles Teller, fresh off his high-flying success in Top Gun: Maverick, steps into the role of Larry, the husband Joan spent her earthly life with. Teller often brings a grounded, relatable charm to his characters, which will surely make Larry a sympathetic figure despite the unusual circumstances. On the other side of Joan's heart is Callum Turner, who recently captivated audiences in Masters of the Air. Turner, with his intense presence, will portray Luke, the first love who's waited decades for his reunion with Joan, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the romantic rivalry.

But the talent doesn't stop there. The film boasts a stellar supporting cast that promises to add both humor and heartfelt moments. The hilarious John Early (from Search Party) and Academy Award winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph (celebrated for her role in The Holdovers) are featured as "afterlife coordinators." Their roles suggest a quirky bureaucratic side to the afterlife, potentially providing much of the film's "funny" and "quirky comedic side" as mentioned in early reviews. Rounding out this impressive ensemble are Olga Merediz (In the Heights) and the charming Betty Buckley, ensuring that every corner of this afterlife is populated with engaging performances.

"I have complete faith that you will choose the right, and the right person to spend it with."

— A voice from the official trailer for 'Eternity'

Behind the Veil: The Visionary Talents Crafting This Heavenly Story

Bringing such a unique concept to the screen requires a strong creative vision, and for Eternity, that vision comes from Irish writer-filmmaker David Freyne. While this might be his biggest film to date, Freyne is no stranger to captivating storytelling. He previously directed the 2017 horror film The Cured and the 2020 comedy Dating Amber, showcasing his versatility across genres. His experience in crafting both suspenseful and comedic narratives makes him an ideal choice to helm a film that blends tender romance with whimsical fantasy and bittersweet humor.

Freyne co-wrote the screenplay with Pat Cunnane, whose original script for Eternity garnered significant industry attention by landing on the prestigious 2022 Black List of Hollywood's best unproduced screenplays. Cunnane's background is as interesting as the film's premise; he previously wrote for the TV series Designated Survivor and even served as a staffer in Barack Obama's White House. This unique combination of political experience and creative writing talent suggests a script that is not only well-structured but also potentially imbued with insightful observations about human nature and decision-making.

The film is being produced by Oscar-nominated duo Tim White and Trevor White under their Star Thrower Entertainment banner. Their previous work includes the critically acclaimed King Richard, which earned them an Academy Award nomination. Their involvement brings a level of prestige and a proven track record of bringing compelling, character-driven stories to the big screen. The film was shot in Vancouver last year, suggesting a scenic and perhaps otherworldly visual backdrop, with David Fleming composing the score to guide our emotional journey through this unique afterlife.

Building Buzz: From Toronto International Film Festival Acclaim to Oscar Consideration

Eternity has already made a splash, having its world premiere at the esteemed 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this fall. Premiering at TIFF is a significant indicator of a film's quality and potential awards season buzz, as the festival is known for showcasing critically acclaimed and audience-pleasing titles. True to form, the film received "mostly positive reviews" right out of the gate, with critics describing it as "tender, funny, and beautifully bittersweet" and one reviewer noting that it "will give you all the feels." This early reception bodes well for its theatrical run and broader appeal.

Adding to its promising outlook, distributor A24 has officially included Eternity in its "For Your Consideration" campaign for the 2026 Oscars. This means the studio believes strongly in the film's potential for awards recognition and will be actively campaigning for it across various categories. The film is being put forward for a remarkable 14 categories, including:

• Best Picture (Producers Tim White, Trevor White)
• Best Director (David Freyne)
• Best Original Screenplay (Pat Cunnane and David Freyne)
• Best Actor (Miles Teller)
• Best Actress (Elizabeth Olsen)
• Best Supporting Actor (Callum Turner and John Early)
• Best Supporting Actress (Da'Vine Joy Randolph)
• Best Casting
• Best Cinematography
• Best Costume Design
• Best Film Editing
• Best Makeup and Hairstyling
• Best Production Design
• Best Score
• Best Sound

While nominations are still far off, the early buzz and A24's robust campaign signal that Eternity is a film to watch. Early Gold Derby odds even place Elizabeth Olsen at 26th for Best Actress, with the film itself at 59th for Best Picture. This strong push from a studio known for its award-winning, distinctive films like Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Farewell, suggests audiences are in for something truly special.

When and Where to Experience Eternity: Your Guide to the Release Dates

So, when can you finally dive into Joan's heavenly conundrum? While there was a slight swirl of conflicting information initially, we've got the clarified release details for you. Eternity is hitting theaters in a staggered release schedule, giving you a couple of chances to catch it on the big screen.

• Limited Release: You can see Eternity in select US theaters starting on November 14, 2025.
• Wide Release: For a broader theatrical experience, the film expands nationwide on November 26, 2025. This strategic release places it perfectly during the bustling Thanksgiving week, making it a fantastic option for holiday moviegoers looking for something unique and heartwarming.

The second official trailer, which offers an even better look at the film's quirky comedic side and its sweet, sentimental heart, was released on October 14, 2025. This means the marketing push is in full swing, ramping up excitement just in time for its theatrical debut. Mark your calendars, because this is one afterlife journey you won't want to miss!

FAQ: All Your Burning Questions About Eternity Answered What is Eternity about? Eternity is a fantasy romantic comedy from A24. It follows Joan, a recently deceased soul in the afterlife who has one week to choose where to spend eternity. Her impossible decision is between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her. Who stars in Eternity? The film stars Elizabeth Olsen as Joan, Miles Teller as Larry (her husband), and Callum Turner as Luke (her first love). The cast also includes John Early, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Olga Merediz, and Betty Buckley. When does Eternity come out? Eternity will have a limited theatrical release on November 14, 2025, followed by a wide release across the US on November 26, 2025 (during Thanksgiving week). Is Eternity a comedy or drama? It's described as an "afterlife romantic comedy" and a "fantasy rom-com" that blends tender, funny, and bittersweet elements. It offers a unique mix of humor, heart, and thought-provoking themes. Sources

• First Showing: Funny & Adorable Trailer #2 for 'Eternity' Starring Teller, Turner, Olsen
• Awards Radar: New Trailer For The Whimsical Afterlife Romance ETERNITY with Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller
• Hypebeast: A24 Debuted the Trailer For ‘Eternity’ Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner
• Gold Derby: New ‘Eternity’ trailer: Everything to know about Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen’s fantasy rom-com
• Flickering Myth: New Trailer For The Whimsical Afterlife Romance ETERNITY with Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller
• Dark Horizons: Trailer: "Eternity" With Olsen, Teller, Turner
• Future of the Force: The New Trailer For Eternity Asks What Would You Choose?