Elizabeth Olsen Shines in A24’s Soulful Afterlife Romance ‘Eternity’

What happens after we die has fascinated artists for centuries—from spiritual texts to modern movies. A24’s new romantic comedy Eternity explores that timeless question with a colorful twist: in this version of the afterlife, the recently departed must select a “world” where they’ll spend forever. The catch? Once you choose, there’s no turning back.

The options are endless—“Queer World,” “No Man World,” “Beach World,” “Capitalist World,” “Studio 54 World,” and many more—each pitched like a dream vacation by quirky afterlife consultants. But for Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), the decision isn’t just about where to spend eternity… it’s about who to spend it with.

A Love Triangle That Spans a Lifetime—and Beyond

Directed by David Freyne and written by Pat Cunnane, Eternity places Joan in an impossible situation. Should she choose to spend forever with her second husband, Larry (Miles Teller), the man she built a life with? Or with Luke (Callum Turner), her first love who died young in the Korean War and has been waiting nearly seventy years for her arrival?

The film leans into the classic tropes of afterlife cinema—think Beetlejuice, Soul, or A Matter of Life and Death—but uses them with an affectionate self-awareness. The “celestial bureaucracy” setting is familiar, but the execution feels fresh thanks to vibrant production design, cheeky humor, and a world bursting with color and imagination.

A Visual Feast of Worlds, Memories & Celestial Marketing

Freyne embraces theatricality at every turn. Memories are recreated in charmingly handmade “archive rooms,” complete with intentionally crude backdrops. The hotel setting shifts its lighting and scenery to imitate day and night, giving the dead a playful simulation of time.

Each eternity world is advertised like a luxury resort package, complete with hilarious taglines. One standout: “Studio 54 World,” where the pitch includes a cocaine sample and a reminder that “no one has to worry about AIDS—because you’re already dead.”

These whimsical details help make the film’s emotional stakes feel surprisingly grounded.

A Stellar Cast Elevating a Predictable Premise

While the story follows fairly conventional beats, the performances elevate everything.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early steal scenes as cheerful, slightly chaotic afterlife workers who choose to remain in their jobs instead of picking a world. Their comedic timing balances the film’s heavier emotional moments.

Callum Turner’s Luke, intentionally idealized rather than truly complex, plays like a fantasy of a perfect man—handsome, patient, uncomplicated. In contrast, Teller and Olsen portray flawed, deeply human characters shaped by decades of real life. That contrast becomes central to Joan’s decision.

Elizabeth Olsen: The Heart of ‘Eternity’

At the center of it all is Elizabeth Olsen, delivering one of her most emotionally rich performances to date. Her comedic instincts—rarely showcased during her Marvel run—shine through, but it’s the raw vulnerability in her quieter moments that anchors the entire story.

Whether Joan is reliving a cherished memory or confronting the imperfections of the people she loves, Olsen conveys heartbreak, confusion, and tenderness with a single look. She transforms Eternity from a whimsical afterlife fable into something genuinely moving.

Final Thoughts

Though Eternity doesn’t reinvent the afterlife genre, it thrives through its vibrant worldbuilding, heartfelt performances, and especially Olsen’s nuanced portrayal. The film blends humor, nostalgia, and existential longing into a story that feels both entertaining and unexpectedly profound.

For fans of imaginative romance or A24’s emotional storytelling, Eternity is absolutely worth the commitment.