Elizabeth Olsen Faces a Love Choice in the Afterlife in ‘Eternity’

Eternity is a fantasy romantic drama built around a deceptively simple but emotionally charged premise: after death, a woman must choose between the husband she built a lifetime with and the first love she lost decades earlier. Starring Elizabeth Olsen and directed by David Freyne, the Apple TV+ film reframes the afterlife as a curated space of second chances, using its high-concept setting to explore how love endures, evolves and competes across time.

In tone, Eternity balances warm-hearted romance with whimsical satire. The afterlife in the film is depicted as a glossy, consumer-driven paradise – more shopping mall or retirement resort than traditional heaven – offering a satirical look at modern culture’s obsession with convenience and choice. Within this surreal setting, the narrative remains focused on very human questions of devotion, regret and fulfillment. Olsen’s character Joan is a grandmotherly figure navigating grief and gratitude as she is granted a week to sample two versions of “eternity”: one journey designed around homey domestic life with her devoted husband Larry (Teller), and another exploring adventure and first love with Luke (Turner). The script plays these scenarios for both gentle comedy and poignant reflection, asking whether love’s true meaning can change in death just as it did in life. Early reviewers noted the film’s blend of absurdist humor and emotional realism, calling it a whimsical yet thoughtful spin on the classic romantic triangle.

Behind the camera, Eternity is a leap into U.S. filmmaking for director David Freyne, an Irish writer-director best known for the coming-of-age dramedy Dating Amber (2020). Like his earlier work, Eternity was born from an emotionally personal place – Freyne and co-writer Pat Cunnane’s script made The Black List of favorite unproduced screenplays in 2022 – and it carries indie-style charm into a bigger-budget genre mash-up. A24 produced and theatrically released the film, with Apple Studios among the partners, signaling a growing collaboration between boutique indie labels and streaming services. The A24-Apple alliance has become a notable trend: Eternity joins other prestige projects (like Killers of the Flower Moon) in bridging arthouse sensibility with wider streaming audiences. Freyne’s direction has been praised for its vibrant visuals and clear affection for the story’s married couple at different life stages; the cinematography and production design give the afterlife a timeless, almost fairy-tale quality that contrasts with the very modern dilemmas Joan faces.

Eternity - Apple TV+ — John Early and Da’Vine Joy Randolph in “Eternity”, in theaters now and on Apple TV

The cast adds further interest for an international audience. Olsen, already a star from the Marvel Avengers franchise and acclaimed TV miniseries WandaVision, pushes beyond action and drama into lighter territory here. Critics observe that Olsen plays Joan with tender wit and gentle conviction, carrying the film’s emotional weight as a woman reflecting on her life choices. Miles Teller, as Larry, provides warmth and steady humor as the husband of 65 years who suddenly finds himself young again in the afterlife. Callum Turner, a British actor perhaps best known for fantasy series The Capture, portrays Luke, the military veteran first husband who patiently waited decades to reunite with Joan. In supporting roles, comedian John Early brings deadpan humor as an afterlife administrator, Olga Merediz adds soulful kindness as a longtime friend, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph imparts authoritative charm as a kind of celestial guide. Notably, both Olsen and Teller served as executive producers, suggesting their creative investment in the story and its themes.

Genre-wise, Eternity occupies a curious niche at the intersection of romantic comedy, fantasy and a touch of magical realism. It recalls older films like Defending Your Life and The Good Place in its playful treatment of what comes after death, while firmly rooting its heart in the conventions of a love-triangle drama. As such, it exemplifies a recent strand of high-concept rom-coms on streaming platforms – films that appeal to both classic rom-com fans and viewers craving something offbeat. Eternity also highlights Apple TV+’s growing interest in original feature films with broader theatrical pedigree. For Apple, the film adds star power and genre variety to its lineup, supplementing its slate of prestige dramas and series with a quirky comedy that still feels philosophical.

Culturally, Eternity taps into universal concerns about life, love and what might await beyond. Its focus on an older heroine grappling with past and present relationships gives it cross-generational appeal, speaking to anyone who has wondered how decisions of the heart stand the test of time. The film’s consumerist afterlife – complete with brunch buffets and fake tropical getaways – slyly nods at contemporary debates over materialism and true happiness. In an era when streaming viewers have made rom-com revivals and speculative fiction equally popular, Eternity seems poised to engage diverse audiences. Fans who enjoyed Olsen’s earlier dramatic turns might be surprised by her lighter performance here, while comedically inclined viewers may appreciate the film’s witty premise even as the romance takes center stage.

As Eternity lands on Apple TV+, it joins a wave of feature films finding new life on streaming services after festival and limited theatrical releases. Its release reflects larger industry trends: traditional studios partnering with tech platforms, the blending of indie and mainstream sensibilities, and sustained audience interest in stories that mix genre conventions. While avoiding the clichés of either typical rom-com or purely spiritual fantasy, Eternity exemplifies the kind of mid-budget, character-driven film that studios like A24 and platforms like Apple increasingly champion. In telling a bittersweet story about love after death, the film aligns with a broader moment in streaming and cinema where creators take familiar romantic themes and place them in unexpectedly imaginative settings.

Overall, Eternity adds to the growing catalog of streaming-era romance films with its own distinctive twist. Its release on Apple TV+ not only brings an established cast and whimsical premise to subscribers, but also underscores the continuing shift in how audiences find new films. In choosing love in the afterlife, Eternity may resonate with viewers exploring both the comfort of enduring affection and the curiosity of life’s next unknown chapter.

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Default. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

Unblock content

More Information