Elizabeth Olsen Just Starred In The Rom-Com Eternity, But She Explained Why Doing One Set In The Modern Day Would Be A Challenge

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Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner star in what’s quickly become my most anticipated romantic comedy of 2025. Their new A24 film, Eternity, is a beautifully crafted love story set in the afterlife, giving it a unique and magical quality. After filming this otherworldly romance, Olsen shared her thoughts on why making a traditional rom-com in today’s world would be challenging.

As a huge movie fan, I found something really interesting about Eternity. It’s a romantic comedy set in the afterlife, and both Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller play characters who’ve passed away – but with a twist! They initially portray 90-year-olds, but then suddenly appear as they were in their thirties. The film explains this beautifully: when people arrive in the afterlife, they take on the appearance they had when they were happiest. So, it wasn’t just about playing characters in a unique setting, but also about both actors stepping outside of portraying their actual ages – a clever concept, I thought!

Although it might seem more challenging to portray a love story that isn’t set in modern times, the film’s main actress disagrees, as she explained to The Hollywood Reporter:

It might seem strange, but at 36, I find it hard to picture myself playing a romantic lead in a story set today. I feel too disconnected from current trends and pop culture to portray someone who’s truly part of it.

It definitely makes sense to me. It seems like it would be simpler to explore a love story in a fantasy setting than in real life. There aren’t the same pressures or expectations, and as Olsen pointed out, you don’t have to worry about perfectly reflecting real-world experiences.

Just before making that comment, Olsen mentioned the script for Eternity – which changed during filming to feature more of the group of actors – felt like something her mother would enjoy. I agreed. While another A24 romance released this year, Materialists, heavily incorporates modern life into its story, Eternity deliberately removes the influence of time and the present day.

Joan, played by Elizabeth Olsen, isn’t finding love through dating apps or set-ups. The story deliberately avoids the influence of social media and the typical pressures of today’s dating world.

Instead, she faces a completely unexpected situation: reconnecting with both her longtime husband and her first love, who passed away years ago and somehow exists in the afterlife. This fresh and original idea has breathed new life into romantic comedies for many viewers.

The WandaVision actress was excited to try romantic comedies that felt removed from everyday life. She shared that this was a particularly appealing opportunity for her.

I had a strong feeling I could bring something special to this romantic comedy – playing a character who felt 90 years old, even though I’m in my thirties. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and a chance to explore something really personal.

You know, Eternity really stood out to me this year. It’s a bit different from most things I see, and even though it only has a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s easily become one of my favorite films. It’s just such a charming and heartfelt love story, and surprisingly, it made me laugh a lot too!

I’m happy to hear Elizabeth Olsen is focusing on romantic comedies, especially those not set in modern times. Her new movie, Eternity, is fantastic! It’s really enjoyable watching her, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner play characters who are old souls in young bodies, and the unique afterlife situation they’re in creates a wonderfully romantic story you can see in theaters now.

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2025-11-30 02:09