Eternity, directed by David Freyne, is a playful blend of fantasy and romance, but it’s also a film that keeps its feet firmly planted in familiar rom-com territory. Its afterlife conceit offers plenty of room for whimsy, yet the story remains anchored in the relatable, very human emotions that define long-term relationships.
The premise is undeniably charming: after their deaths, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) finds herself in the in-between “Hub”, where she must decide which of the two great loves of her life she wants to spend eternity with—her first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who died young in the Korean war, or Larry (Miles Teller, excellent), the man with whom she built a long, complicated, ordinary life. Helping them navigate this cosmic bureaucracy are Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and Ryan (John Early), the afterlife coordinators who guide souls through their eternal choices. Elsewhere, Olga Merediz brings warmth and humour as Karen, Joan’s opinionated next-door neighbour who has finally found fulfilment and happiness in the afterlife. The set-up is clever without becoming convoluted, and the film’s early scenes establish an afterlife that’s equal parts metaphysical and amusingly mundane.
The story works best as an allegory about the different kinds of love we carry: first love, lasting love, love that grows through hardship, and love that survives even the most human flaws. Freyne’s direction leans into this tenderness, and the worldbuilding—think The Good Place, but with bigger themes—makes the film feel playful even when it turns contemplative. Still, despite its imaginative setting, the film doesn’t really attempt to reinvent the rom-com wheel. Its screenplay, while earnest and well delivered, follows familiar trajectories, and the film ultimately settles into predictability.
What elevates the material is the cast. Elizabeth Olsen is grounded and empathetic as Joan, and Callum Turner brings youthful sincerity to Luke. The supporting players are uniformly delightful. But the standout is Miles Teller, who delivers the most sensitive and charismatic performances of the film as Larry. He plays him as both infuriating and deeply lovable—a man shaped by years rather than by myth—and the film is richer for it.
Cute, thoughtful and beautifully acted, Eternity may not break new ground for romantic comedies, but it’s an engaging and heartfelt watch. Its charm lies less in its high concept than in the simple, very human story about what it means to love and be loved.
