Vince Vaughn isn’t just delivering another performance with Nonnas — he’s grounding decades of on-screen energy into something personal and unforced. The new Netflix film, which premieres May 9, casts Vaughn as Joe Scaravella, the real-life founder of Enoteca Maria, a Staten Island restaurant where grandmothers from around the world cook traditional family recipes. It’s a story about loss, reinvention, and the flavor of human connection, and Vaughn fits right into its savory mix.
Vince Vaughn finds emotional resonance in a real-life culinary story
For a decade-plus, Vaughn has been oscillating between raunchy comedies, like Dodgeball and The Wedding Crashers, and more serious roles that rarely get the spotlight they deserve. Nonnas gives him that middle ground — a chance to be relatable, reflective, and a little rough around the edges without relying on one-liners or hyperactive delivery. His portrayal of Scaravella isn’t about flair; it’s about quiet presence and steady emotion.
Vaughn connected deeply with the material. He told Screen Rant that the film speaks to “what you do with these feelings” after losing a parent. Like Joe, Vaughn grew up with a grandmother in the house. That personal tie to the nonna figure — and to the idea of food as a bridge between generations — gave him real buy-in. This isn’t just a role for Vaughn. It’s a role he felt.
Enoteca Maria’s founder inspires more than just a character
Enoteca Maria isn’t a typical restaurant, and Scaravella isn’t a typical restaurateur. As Vaughn describes him, Joe is a “real artist” who didn’t just want to serve food — he wanted to serve experiences. Meeting Joe in person, and eating in the space he created, Vaughn says he understood the mission: give grandmothers a place to share their culture, their stories, and their love through cooking.
It’s a simple but powerful concept, and one that Netflix’s Nonnas turns into something cozy and meaningful. The film doesn’t lean into crisis for drama’s sake. Instead, it lets hope, friendship, and sauce simmer into something emotionally satisfying. Vaughn’s performance mirrors that approach — grounded, respectful, and occasionally nostalgic.
The iconic cast of Nonnas elevates the film beyond sentimentality
Vaughn shares the screen with a quartet of legendary actresses who transform the kitchen into a stage: Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro. These women aren’t just playing grandmothers — they’re embodying roles that speak to purpose, aging, and joy. Sarandon plays the glamorous pastry chef Gia, Bracco is the tough Sicilian Roberta, Shire the contemplative ex-nun Teresa, and Vaccaro the spirited Antonella.
Having these four veterans together — with Vaughn watching, supporting, and occasionally bouncing off them — gives the film a theatrical punch. It’s the kind of casting that doesn’t scream for attention but quietly demands it. Vaughn calls them “iconic” and admits he enjoyed simply being in their orbit. And that’s the tone of Nonnas itself: a film that doesn’t need to shout to make you feel something.
Nonnas is a celebration of community, not a formulaic feel-good flick
One of the most striking things about Nonnas is how it avoids typical foodie-movie clichés. There’s no villainous investor, no last-minute disaster in the kitchen. Instead, it focuses on what food actually does — connects us to memory, shields us from loneliness, and offers a way back to ourselves. Vaughn says the film is about “love and connection and good experiences,” and that’s exactly what it delivers.
Critics have compared it to a Sunday afternoon meal — comforting, a little nostalgic, and made with care. It’s the kind of movie that might not win top awards but quietly finds its audience. And Vaughn’s involvement — both in front of the camera and in his genuine appreciation for the story — makes it hit a little harder for those who’ve followed his career.
Vince Vaughn teases Dodgeball sequel but only if the story is right
While Vaughn is getting praise for Nonnas, he hasn’t forgotten where many fans first loved him. When asked about the long-rumored Dodgeball 2, he admits there’s a story in development, but nothing immediate. More importantly, he says he’d only return to that world if the script deserved it — not just for nostalgia’s sake. It’s the same approach he takes with Nonnas: do it because it means something, not just because you can.
Vince Vaughn’s Nonnas performance is a quiet highlight of his career
Nonnas may not be the loudest film of the year, but it doesn’t need to be. With Vaughn at its center, surrounded by a cast of film legends and a story that tastes like Sunday gravy, it becomes one of those rare projects that sticks with you in a gentle way. It's about family, grief, and how grandmothers — no matter where they come from — have a way of bringing us back to life through food.
For Vaughn, this isn’t just another Netflix feature. It’s a small return to form, and a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones served slow and steady.