David Freyne’s latest film, Eternity, explores the idea of what eternal life – whether blissful or tormenting – might actually be like, suggesting the possibilities are limitless.
Honestly, if you’re feeling done with the guys, ‘Men Free World’ is a really interesting watch. And if you just need to escape and lose yourself in some beautiful scenery, ‘Mountain World’ could be perfect. But the one that really got me thinking? ‘Always Wanted to Go to Paris’ – the idea of being stuck in your perfect place forever is a fascinating, if slightly unsettling, concept!
This Irish writer and director presents a vision of death not as an ending, but as a transition. After life on Earth, you travel by a specially modified train to the afterlife, where an afterlife consultant guides you in choosing how to spend your eternal existence.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early star as Anna and Ryan, who are essentially the guides for Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) and Larry (Miles Teller) in the afterlife. Unlike most, they’ve decided to dedicate their eternity to helping others achieve their happy endings.
He admits his answer is probably influenced by being hungry – it’s already past lunchtime when we talk. “Mac and Cheese World,” he says with a laugh. “But honestly, that’s just because I’m starving! There are so many different types of mac and cheese out there!”
The film features several unsettling and undesirable eternal realms, like the disturbing ‘Clown World,’ which would be a terrible fate to endure forever. For Joan, the worst eternity would be trapped in ‘Beach World,’ while Larry dreads living forever without her.
I was really struck by Joy Randolph’s answer when someone asked her what her personal hell would be. Without hesitation, she said, and I quote, ‘America right now.’ It’s a stark statement, but honestly, it resonated. It felt less like a political jab and more like a raw, honest expression of the anxieties a lot of us are feeling these days. It’s a powerful moment, and it’s stuck with me long after the interview.
As Early puts it, we’re definitely experiencing life right now! He jokes that an endless existence without mac and cheese – if it were actually banned – wouldn’t be very good either.
Want to see this content?
We can’t display this content because of a security check from Google reCAPTCHA. To see it, please sign out of your Contentpass account.
Olsen was particularly drawn to the script’s fresh take on the afterlife. It reimagined it not as a spiritual realm, but as a product of our capitalist society – suggesting that even eternity is now something sold and marketed to us.
She explained that the concept of an afterlife becoming just another form of consumerism – something people are pressured to ‘buy into’ – struck her as a humorous commentary on modern culture.
The film’s somber tone actually helped the important relationships feel even stronger. You can try to improve your life with material things, but ultimately, the connections you make with people are what truly matter, and that’s what I found most moving about this movie.
Olsen and Teller delightfully portrayed characters who were eighty years old at heart, despite being in their thirties. Larry and Joan find joy and contentment as they approach the end of their lives, embracing their final years with happiness.
I was really fascinated by how each actor prepared for their role. Teller, in particular, shared that he based his character on his grandmother – imagining her youthful spirit trapped in an older body. It was a really unique and touching approach, and it definitely shaped his performance.
He explains that his grandmother always sees herself as young at heart. Despite being 85, she avoids spending time with other seniors. When he asks her about growing older, she says, ‘Miles, I remember being your age – it feels like yesterday! I still feel like I’m 35, and I sometimes wonder who that older woman is in the mirror.’
Despite facing incredibly difficult times, she seems unchanged – I think she’s always been that same person, even before I met her. I recently talked with Larry about how wonderful it would be for him to be free of pain, and we were both excited about it, which is especially poignant now that he’s passed away.
To develop Joan’s character and give her a sense of timelessness, Olsen researched classic films and television. She specifically looked at movies starring Shirley MacLaine directed by Billy Wilder, imagining that actress as a role model for Joan during her formative years. Olsen enjoys this kind of preparation, finding it sparks ideas – even if those ideas don’t always make it into the final performance.
Eternity stands out from typical romantic comedies by presenting a love triangle that feels fresh and realistic, challenging traditional notions of love.
Elizabeth Olsen shared that she really enjoyed the script. She found it heartwarming to see the characters Joan and Larry as an older couple, and said that’s the kind of loving, long-term relationship she hopes to see more of in romantic comedies – a couple who’s comfortable and familiar with each other, even with a little playful arguing.
She also appreciated how the film treated all kinds of love as equally meaningful, whether it was a childhood crush or a lifelong marriage. She felt these experiences were genuine and lasting, and that they truly resonate with people.
This romantic comedy celebrates realistic, everyday love instead of dramatic, over-the-top displays, something Joy Randolph felt was important to portray. She explained that growing up, she used to base her expectations for relationships on rom-coms, creating a mental checklist of grand gestures. However, she quickly became disappointed when real-life partners didn’t live up to those movie-inspired ideals.
As a total movie buff, the idea of revisiting past lives in some kind of archive is endlessly fascinating to me. And honestly, if I had that power, I know exactly which moment from Joy Randolph’s career I’d want to experience again with her. It’s just… a truly special performance she gave, and I’d love to relive it.
Joy Randolph says she’d love to do another season of “High Fidelity.” She really enjoyed working on it, calling it a fantastic experience, and especially loved filming in New York City during the summer – she felt full of energy and excitement.
Looking back, Early recalled a particularly strange experience: revisiting a film he loved as a child while working on the “Wet Hot American Summer” reboot. He described it as a really surreal moment.
What’s so amazing about reboots is that you get to experience everything you already adored all over again. It’s just… incredible!
Eternity is released in UK cinemas on Friday 5th December 2025.
Read More
- Hazbin Hotel season 3 release date speculation and latest news
- Where Winds Meet: Best Weapon Combinations
- Red Dead Redemption Remaster Error Prevents Xbox Players from Free Upgrade
- Where Winds Meet: How To Defeat Shadow Puppeteer (Boss Guide)
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- Is There a Smiling Friends Season 3 Episode 9 Release Date or Part 2?
- Walking Towards State Estimation: A New Boundary Condition Approach
- FC 26 reveals free preview mode and 10 classic squads
- Zootopia 2 Reactions Raise Eyebrows as Early Viewers Note “Timely Social Commentary”
- The Death of Bunny Munro soundtrack: Every song in Nick Cave drama
2025-12-04 18:37