A24’s “Eternity,” a thrilling romantic fantasy now available for streaming on Apple TV+, poses the question: Would you rather spend eternity with your first love or your last? The star-studded film provides a new, creative perspective to the devastatingly difficult decision.
The film begins with Larry (Miles Teller) awaking in the “Junction,” an afterlife that resembles a railway terminal — a setting that is one of the most notable aspects of the film. Instead of a grand spectacle of heaven, the afterlife created by director David Freyne feels imaginative yet strangely believable. It is fitting that this is where the most human decision — the choice of who to love — must take place.
After his unexpected death from choking on a pretzel, Larry meets his afterlife coordinator, Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), who tells him he must decide on his future in the afterlife. But before he can come to a decision, his wife, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), joins him at the station after passing from a terminal illness. An additional layer of complexity is introduced when Joan’s first husband, Luke (Callum Turner) — who has been awaiting Joan in the afterlife since his death in the Korean War — appears.
For the rest of the film, Joan mulls the heartbreaking choice between her first or second husband. Luke represents potential — the untouched idea of “what could have been.” Larry, on the other hand, represents reality — a love shaped by countless arguments, complaints and a shared life of 65 years.
This simple production design allows these emotional stakes to remain in the foreground. By bringing a sense of monotony to eternity, the film shifts focus away from the fantasy and toward the weight — and mundane nature — of human decision.
While numerous films have explored concepts of the afterlife, this movie’s cast sets it apart. Olsen perfectly portrays the anxiety that comes with Joan’s decision, and Teller’s subtle mannerisms are a perfect fit for his older character. Turner’s softer approach to Luke’s character illustrates his quiet yet strong determination to spend eternity with the love of his life.
But the value of the film is not in Joan’s ultimate decision — the film ends with an underwhelming reveal. Instead, its brilliance is in the emotional nuance and powerful performances that bring the audience on a philosophical journey themselves.
Timothy Ro is a senior staff writer covering arts and culture.
