What happens to us when we die? Is there life after death? What’s it like? Regardless of your religious beliefs or theological leanings, these are common, serious questions. Some questions can be fun to think about and explore, especially in film.
A scene from 'Eternity (Images courtesy of A24 Films)
Eternity is one such film, in which the afterlife serves as the setting for one of the more original and creative romantic comedies in recent years. The afterlife, or at least the transitional point between life and the afterlife, is depicted as some huge travel convention where the deceased has a week to decide where to spend their eternity. The waypoint is a community unto itself, part residence, events hall, and grand central station, all preparing the recently departed for the rest of their existence in the perfect endlessness of the world they pick.
There are no backsies here. Once you decide on your eternity, after checking out the convention booths, complete with standees, barkers, and brochures, you are stuck there for the rest of forever. Going back or changing your mind is against the rules.
Eternity follows Joan Cutler, played by Elizabeth Olsen (Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame), as she figures out what to do after dying of cancer.
Miles Teller (Divergent, Top Gun: Maverick) plays Larry, Joan’s husband, who passed away a week earlier, and is there waiting for her. Things look great for them to all move on until the revelation that her first husband, Luke, is also there. Luke, inhabited by Callum Turner (The Fantastic Beasts series of movies), has been waiting for her for the past sixty-odd years, ever since he died in the Korean War.
You can imagine this places Joan in a bit of a bind. Normally, being fought over by two suitors is a thrill to a girl, but having to choose just one for forever does raise the stakes a little bit.
The official film poster of 'Eternity'
There are strong, fun performances by Teller and Callum, as they both fight for the opportunity to spend eternity with Joan. But the standout is Olsen as she expertly traverses the gamut of emotions from confusion, to relief, to sadness and anger, and ultimately, her epiphany.
If there’s anything that could be spruced up more, it's the afterlife itself. The station is very brutalist in its architecture, which makes it look imposing and grand but also rather drab.
This was an intentional choice to make things feel like a government office where efficiency is at the heart of things, but it makes the afterlife seem uninspiring.
One can’t help but draw comparisons with other “What happens after death”- type movies, like Defending Your Life from way back in 1991, where you can eat all you want and not gain an ounce. The afterlife was amazing, it was familiar yet beyond what you’d just left behind, and it made you feel like you had made it somehow.
But as a romance, Eternity works. The emotions are real and heartfelt, with more than a little introspection on what really matters in life (and after as well), and the supporting characters contribute much to the film's dynamic and humor. Overall, one of the more unique romcoms to grace the silver screen in a long