By Davyn Horton
Cannes Film Festival 2025 is just several days from conclusion. With that, famed actor Scarlett Johansson used the festival to make her directorial debut with her film Eleanor the Great. Starring ninety-five year old June Squibb, this was one of the more fascinating debuts of the entire festival. Critics and moviegoers alike are wondering what reception the film will ultimately have. Though all film is subjective, it is interesting to see the reactions for Eleanor the Great. With the Black Widow’s directorial debut in full swing, the film is proving to be something that is truly unique, and truly special.
What Is Eleanor the Great About?
The synopsis for Eleanor the Great reads:
After seventy years with her best friend, Eleanor moves to New York City for a fresh start. Making new friends at ninety proves difficult. Longing for connection, she befriends a 19-year-old student.
Eleanor (June Squibb) moves to New York City, following the sudden death of her life-long friend Bessie (Rita Zohar). After the move, she befriends a young female journalism student (Erin Kellyman). From there, Eleanor goes on quite the emotional journey, after presenting Bessie’s Holocaust survival story as her own. As a result, grief is the cornerstone that drives the plot of the film forward, from the beginning to the very end.
Eleanor the Great Cannes Reactions
All in all, the reception that Eleanor the Great received at Cannes Film Festival is exceptional for a directorial debut. Variety described the reception as the cast and crew receiving “rapturous applause” following the screening’s conclusion.
Overall, the reactions coming out of Cannes for Eleanor the Great are rather mixed in nature. As a matter of fact, the film is holding a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes. The conensus of the fourteen critics is that, while the film overall feels very familiar and predictable, June Squibb is the star of the show, and the comedic elements she brings are brilliantly funny.
For example, Ed Potton on behalf of Times UK wrote that Squibb’s performance was “the kind of conventional, performer-led film one would expect from an actor.” Pete Hammond on behalf of Deadline agreed, saying that her performance was “simply exquisite.”
Although this may be true, one of the particular critiques of Eleanor the Great is the rocky transitioning in tones throughout the film. For example, Lovia Gyarkye on behalf of The Hollywood Reporter stated that, while Scarlett Johansson’s direction was present, the quality becomes questionable when the comedic elements subside so they can “lean into more serious turns.” This seems to be the overarching critique. There are even some, such as Hannah Strong on behalf of Little White Lies, going as far as stating that Johansson should never have made Eleanor the Great in the first place.
Scarlett Johansson’s Future As A Director
Reactions to Eleanor the Great have certainly been mixed, to say the least. Even so, it shows that Scarlett Johansson has a passion for filmmaking. After all, she has been working on films, either as an actress or producer, since 1994, with the Rob Reiner film North. Eleanor the Great is a passion project for her, and it shows with the respect and recgonition she gave members of the cast and crew following the standing ovation at the Cannes screening. She called Squibb “truly inspiring”, and Kellyman an “absolute revelation.”
It is clear that Johansson has a passion for directing films. She also understands all of the hard work that goes into creating films. This is evident by her emphasis on praising members of the cast and crew at every chance. No matter the overall perception of Eleanor the Great, her passion and drive to creating films is clear. This will help push her love of films into a new phase of her career.
Without question, this likely will not be the last time Scarlett Johansson directs a film. She has a passion for it, and a passion to lead a team of creative people. For some, it has shown in Eleanor the Great, so there is no doubt that in the near future, Johansson will return to the director’s chair. For what future film, however, ultimately remains to be seen.