Eternity Explores Love, Choice, and Life Beyond Death

The new A24 film Eternity presents a unique vision of the afterlife, where individuals return to the age at which they were happiest. Once there, they have a single week to decide their eternal fate.

Elizabeth Olsen and Ansel Elgort portray Joan and Larry Cutler, an older married couple navigating this extraordinary afterlife. Upon arrival, Joan is stunned to encounter her first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who died during the Korean War and has been waiting for her ever since. This unexpected reunion forces Joan to make a profound choice—not only about her eternal home but also about whom to spend it with.

Olsen described the film as both humorous and deeply emotional, emphasizing its reflective nature. “It makes us think about those we’ve lost, hope to reunite with, and how we view love in our lives,” she said.

Teller reflected on his own inspiration, noting, “My grandparents’ six-decade marriage shaped my portrayal. My grandfather, a marine, was also deeply attentive to my grandmother’s needs—a model of love and respect.”

Directed and co-written by David Freyne, Eternity combines imaginative afterlife settings with a sincere exploration of human emotions. The film features a variety of afterlife realms, from Beach World and Food World to Man Free World and Infantilisation World. These options, however, come with one strict rule: once a choice is made, it is final.

Guiding the characters through this surreal journey are afterlife coordinators Anna and Ryan, portrayed by Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early. Freyne emphasized, “Even though it’s set in the afterlife, the story is more about life—reflecting on what makes us happy and who truly matters in our lives.”

Eternity is scheduled to hit theatres on November 26, offering audiences a blend of comedy, heartfelt emotion, and philosophical reflection on love and mortality.