ETERNITY -- Sweet Afterlife

Review by Adam Donato

A24 is back with a high concept romantic comedy. When people die, they have to choose what eternity to spend the rest of time in. A married man dies and is thrown for a loop when his wife also dies, only to be reunited with her previous husband. Now the wife has to choose which of her two dead husbands to spend eternity with. Elizabeth Olsen has to choose between Miles Teller and Callum Turner. David Freyne has only directed a couple obscure features so this is his first big break. Is this an indie swing that will land or be dead on arrival?

Eternity thrives on its likability and personality. The concept is fun, making purgatory feel like waiting in an airport. There’s a bunch of jokes about death and marriage that people will find relatable. The crux of the film is this love triangle. Do you stay with the man you’ve been married to for decades or do you pick back up with your first husband who was tragically taken away during the war? It’s a very predictable story. Every surprise moment can be seen coming from a mile away. Despite this, the movie plays to its strengths and provides a satisfying narrative nevertheless. 

This is one of Elizabeth Olsen’s first significant roles post Marvel and she’s delightful. She does feel like her character would be the main character here. The main conflict is which man to choose so seeing the story from her perspective would be more appropriate. Miles Teller is more of the main character here and that works well for the twist of the concept. We’re dead and have to choose an eternity to spend together, BUT I’m not my wife’s only husband. It is funny seeing this guy get cuckolded in the afterlife, but it really feels like Olsen’s story. She’s very good in the film and has good chemistry with both of her costars. Female audiences will have an easy time identifying as her while she decides which man to choose.

Besides Top Gun: Maverick, Miles Teller’s best work seems to be far in the rear view mirror. It’s fun seeing him embody the role of an old man as opposed to the frat boy archetype he usually plays. Callum Turner feels like his biggest and best days are still ahead of him. His character here is so tragic and watching him go toe to toe with Teller to vie for Olsen’s heart is a lot of fun. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, John Early, and Olga Merediz play significant supporting roles. Randolph and Early are great as these liaisons that charter our characters to their eternity. It’s funny watching them coach up their respective men as they compete for eternity with their wife. 

Eternity will charm audiences with its comedic world building and its hot love triangle. This is a big win for the main trio of cast members who are all usually entrenched in major franchises. David Freyne took the opportunity and did well with it so it will be interesting to see what he does going forward. Head out to the theaters for an enjoyable rom com date night. 

Eternity will be in theaters on November 26. 

Rating: 4/5