Hollywood has been leaning heavily into nostalgia — not just by reviving iconic ‘90s titles, but by returning to a style of filmmaking that once defined the era: glossy, emotional, high-concept romances built around big ideas and even bigger feelings. David Freyne’s Eternity fits neatly into that revival. It’s ambitious, sentimental, visually polished and unafraid to wear its heart on its sleeve — the kind of movie that could’ve easily opened to a packed theatre in 1998, right before City of Angels or Meet Joe Black.
Story: A Love Triangle Stretched Across Life, Death & Everything After
The film begins with Larry (Miles Teller), who dies suddenly and wakes up in The Junction — a retro-styled limbo where the newly dead return to the age they felt happiest. Here, an Afterlife Consultant named Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) helps souls pick their eternal home, from Beach World to Queer World to a hilariously overbooked Men-Free World.
Larry refuses to choose until his wife Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) passes from cancer and joins him — only to find her first husband Luke (Callum Turner) waiting as well. He died in the Korean War and has spent decades hoping for her return.
With one week to decide her eternal companion, Joan faces an afterlife dilemma unlike any other: the passionate young love she lost too soon, or the flawed but grounding partnership that defined her adulthood.
What Works
✔ Inventive world-building
David Freyne turns the afterlife into a lively mix of metaphysics and bureaucracy — playful, bright, and emotionally loaded. The concept itself is irresistible: a classic love triangle positioned within eternity.
✔ Performances that give the fantasy real soul
- Elizabeth Olsen brings depth and fragility to Joan, capturing a woman split between longing and identity.
- Miles Teller is subtle and deeply affecting as the steady husband who suddenly realises love isn’t guaranteed — not even after death.
- Callum Turner channels old-school leading-man charm, leaning into a timeless romantic energy.
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early inject humour without weakening the emotional stakes.
✔ A nostalgic tone that feels fresh
The movie blends:
- ‘90s studio romance energy
- The fantastical sweep of ‘40s Hollywood
- A modern, inclusive, gently queer lens
The result is warm, whimsical and emotionally sincere.
What Doesn’t Work
✘ A third act that loses momentum
The emotional crescendo doesn’t land as intended. The film becomes more focused on its rules than its heartbreak.
✘ A teased reveal that fizzles
A much-hinted-at twist involving Randolph’s character ends up underwhelming.
✘ Slight repetitiveness
Joan’s indecision is realistic, but the narrative circles it too often, softening the impact of her final choice.
Final Verdict
Despite its softened landing, Eternity stands out as one of the rare original studio romances of recent years — sweeping, sincere and built with genuine emotion. It’s a tender meditation on the many kinds of love that shape a life: the love we dream about, the love we grow through, and the love that lasts beyond the limits of mortality.
⭐ Final Rating: 3.5/5
A nostalgic, transporting afterlife romance that believes in love — and lets you believe in it too.
