'Eternity' review: Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller shine in afterlife romcom

Eternity: love, loyalty and the afterlife

The film follows Joan Cutler, who dies and finds herself in a bureaucratic afterlife “junction” where she must decide which of her two husbands will join her for eternity. The premise turns a love triangle into a romantic comedy about choosing between enduring loyalty and the spark of first love.

Plot and setting

The setting, called the Junction, is managed by afterlife coordinators who walk souls through a surprisingly detailed catalog of posthumous “lifestyles,” from idealized landscapes to historically themed worlds. The catch is simple and harsh: once a destination is chosen, it cannot be changed.

The central love dilemma

In the Junction, both Joan and Larry appear in their younger, happiest forms, following the world’s logic that people revert to the age when they felt most alive. Joan’s choice forces her to weigh security against possibility, asking whether a lifetime of shared history outweighs the allure of love that never had a chance to fully unfold.

Performances and tone

Elizabeth Olsen plays Joan as a quick-witted, slightly old-soul heroine, giving the character warmth and screwball energy. Miles Teller brings a nervy, vulnerable charm to Larry, turning what could be a gruff everyman into a sympathetic underdog.

Supporting turns by Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early as afterlife staff add much of the film’s humor and heart, grounding the cosmic premise in relatable, deadpan bureaucracy. Together, the cast balances light comedy with reflections on regret, long-term commitment and the freedom to choose one’s own eternity.

Themes and reception

Critics highlight the film’s blend of high-concept fantasy with classic romcom rhythms, praising its inventive setting and emotional accessibility. Some reviews note that the story lingers on Joan’s decision and occasionally underdevelops Luke, but still regard the movie as a clever, comforting crowd-pleaser.

Ultimately, “Eternity” uses its afterlife waiting room to explore whether love is defined more by shared years or by the intensity of feeling, without giving an easy answer. The result is a gentle romantic comedy that wraps philosophical questions in witty dialogue, quirky world-building and appealing performances.

“Eternity” is framed as a choice between a steady life partner and an idealized first love, played against the backdrop of a mundane yet strangely hopeful afterlife lobby.

Author’s summary: A witty afterlife romcom where a dead heroine must pick which husband to spend eternity with, turning a cosmic love triangle into a tender, offbeat meditation on loyalty and second chances.

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Newsday Newsday — 2025-11-26

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