The ‘love triangle’ has become a stable trope in recent media – after all many of the fairytales we loved as teens had one – and plenty of recent releases still do. But Eternity takes that familiar set up and transforms it into something far more nuanced and meaningful than the films that came before it.
Although the film is set in what could be considered a fantasy realm, it’s grounded in the ordinary. When Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) dies and finds herself in the waiting room of the afterlife, she’s confronted with an impossible choice: should she spend eternity with Larry (Miles Teller), the man she built a life with, or with Luke (Callum Turner), her first love who died in the war and has waited decades in this limbo for her? While the premise sounds extravagant and otherworldly, the film never becomes lost in that genre. Instead, it uses its fantastical setting to explore the nature of love itself – and reveals how, ultimately, there is profound beauty in the ordinary.
Not only is this a heartfelt romance, but it leans into comedy in such a clever way. It has you crying one minute and giggling the next, bringing the rom-com genre into its own with a fresh, confident flair. Part of this comes down to the afterlife coordinators, Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and Ryan (John Early), who guide Joan and Larry through the afterlife during the single week they’re given to choose their eternity. Both Randolph and Early are phenomenal, bringing warmth and humour to their roles while helping the trio at the centre of the love triangle navigate their own intertwined stories while also realising just how deeply this trio leaves a mark on their own lives.
Alongside its cast, the story is elevated by impeccable world-building. Not only must Joan, Larry, and Luke decide who they want to spend eternity with, but they also face the added pressure of choosing where they’ll spend it. There are hundreds of worlds to pick from, ranging from the popular “Man Free World” and “Anything Goes Eternity” to the more straightforward “Beach World.” Each eternity is meticulously crafted to reflect a person’s ideal world, and several of them serve as stunning backdrops to some of the trio’s most heartfelt moments. This richness is thanks to the wonderful set design led by Zazy Myers and the art direction of Andrew Li. Without their incredible (and at times delightfully whimsical) work, the film simply wouldn’t be what it is.
Despite many viewers picking a side before seeing the film (myself included), Eternity doesn’t follow the typical love-triangle formula of movies that came before it – it forges its own path. Olsen delivers a flawless performance as Joan, guiding audiences through the very decision she must make and revealing just how complex and emotionally charged it truly is. By the end, it’s hard not to find yourself arriving at the same choice she does.
Ultimately, this wonderful film comes down to director David Freyne, who co-wrote the script with Pat Cunnane. It’s rare to strike the perfect balance of emotion and humour, and even rarer to create a story that so many people can genuinely relate to, but Freyne accomplishes exactly that. Grounding such a beautiful, otherworldly narrative in the quietness of ordinary love is a powerful choice, and one that will resonate deeply with audiences. This quickly became one of my favourite films of the year, and I think many others will feel the same.
Eternity is out in UK cinemas on the 5th December.
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