Indian cinema enthusiasts received disappointing news as Eternity, the latest offering from acclaimed studio A24, hit screens across the country this week. The film, which promised an innovative take on eternal love, has turned out to be what critics are calling a rare misfire from the typically reliable production house.
Afterlife Love Triangle Falls Flat
The central premise of Eternity revolves around an unconventional love triangle set in the afterlife. The story introduces viewers to a death junction - a transitional space where deceased individuals arrive before choosing their own eternity. Despite the creative setting, the film struggles to deliver on its promising concept, ultimately feeling predictable and underwhelming.
At the heart of the narrative is Joan, played by Elizabeth Olsen, who finds herself torn between two former husbands in the afterlife. Her first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), died during the Korean War and has waited 67 years for her arrival. The second, Larry (Miles Teller), shared 65 years of marriage with Joan, building a family with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Paradise Without Problems
The film establishes that in this afterlife, individuals return to the biological age when they were happiest. Conveniently, all three main characters appear in their prime 30s, with the script avoiding complicated questions about why neither Larry nor Joan choose to return to their parenting years.
The afterlife setting itself resembles paradise, with perfect weather conditions, crystal clear lakes, and no signs of work or school responsibilities. Afterlife Counsellors Anna (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and Ryan (John Early) guide newcomers, insisting this isn't heaven while simultaneously suggesting there's no hell either.
Predictable Plot and Wasted Potential
Despite the philosophical potential of its premise, Eternity follows a disappointingly straightforward path. The love triangle resolves in a manner that viewers can anticipate early on, with brief attempts to explore deeper themes about love that has not been tested by loss versus youthful love.
Critics have noted that the talented cast, particularly the criminally underutilized Da'Vine Joy Randolph, fails to elevate the material. The three main characters' inability to appreciate their blessed circumstances in the perfect afterlife environment makes them increasingly unlikable as the film progresses.
Directed by David Freyne, Eternity represents a surprising misstep for A24, known for producing critically acclaimed films. The movie's release in India on November 28, 2025 has been met with largely negative responses from audiences and critics alike, earning just 2 out of 5 stars in most reviews.
