Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut Eleanor the Great received a five-minute standing ovation at Cannes 2025. Starring June Squibb, the film explores themes of grief and friendship.
Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson received a triumphant welcome to the world of directing as her feature debut, Eleanor the Great, earned a five-minute standing ovation at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The film, which premiered in the festival’s Un Certain Regard section, marks a significant milestone in Johansson’s career and was met with overwhelming applause from a packed auditorium.
Eleanor the Great stars June Squibb as Eleanor Morgenstein, a sharp-witted and proudly troublesome 94-year-old who, after a personal loss, finds her story spiraling into unexpected territory. The film also features acclaimed actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Erin Kellyman. Johansson, who introduced the film before its premiere, described it as “a dream come true” and emphasized that the production was driven by passion rather than profit.
“When you make an independent film like this, no one’s doing it for the money,” Johansson remarked. “Everyone came together because they loved the story. It’s a film about friendship, grief, forgiveness—universal themes that we all need more of today.”
The emotional screening culminated in Johansson embracing Squibb with a heartfelt hug that lasted several minutes. The director praised her lead actress as “truly inspiring” and called Kellyman an “absolute revelation,” expressing excitement for the world to discover her performance.
Johansson arrived at the screening with her powerful agent and CEO of CAA, Bryan Lourd, while her husband, comedian Colin Jost, was seen mingling with executives from Sony Pictures Classics. Among other notable attendees were Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody and designer Georgina Chapman.
In addition to Eleanor the Great, Johansson is also part of the ensemble cast in Wes Anderson’s latest film The Phoenician Scheme, which also debuted at Cannes this year. Her history with the festival includes appearances for Anderson’s Asteroid City (2023) and two Woody Allen films, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) and Match Point (2005).
The film was produced under a collaboration of several production houses including These Pictures, Pinky Promise, Maven Screen Media, Wayfarer Studios, and Content Engineers. Producers Jonathan Lia, Keenan Flynn, Kara Durrett, Jessamine Burgum, Celine Rattray, and Trudie Styler worked alongside executive producers Steve Sarowitz, Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Andrew Calof, Ezra Gabay, and Raj Kishor Khaware.
As Johansson concluded her remarks after the screening, she said, “It’s a film that I feel is historic and also very timely now, and so I hope that you all carry it with you the way that I carry Eleanor with me.”
With its powerful storytelling and warm reception, Eleanor the Great firmly establishes Scarlett Johansson as a compelling new voice behind the camera.
