Breaking Down the Unexpected Twists of Heavenly Rom-Com Eternity

by

In the film Eternity, death arrives unexpectedly, but the story that unfolds is deliberately paced. Larry (Barry Primus) dies of choking during a drive to a family celebration, only to find himself decades younger (played by Miles Teller) on a train. Though his mind remains that of an elderly man – still prone to complaining and reminiscing – he’s in a strange, new world: a crowded, mid-century hotel filled with other confused people who have also seemingly been given a second chance.

The Junction is a strange, bureaucratic waiting room between life and death, depicted in the film. When people arrive, they’re assigned a guide and given a week to pick their ideal afterlife. The options are numerous and quirky, ranging from a perfect beach to a world for smokers, a perpetually pleasant nudist colony, or even a 1960s Paris where everyone speaks English. The Junction itself looks like it exists outside of time, blending modern design with scenic views and softened by beautiful skylines. It’s meant to feel like a perfect world, but comes across as fake – like a sales pitch for eternity, similar to timeshares at a convention.

Larry simply wants his wife, Joan, whom he’s been with for 65 years, to join him so they can spend eternity together. He’s waiting in his youthful body for the woman who has always been his anchor.

“Eternity” isn’t a simple love story; it’s a film about desire, remembrance, and the contrast between the life we’ve lived and the one we dreamed of. Director and co-writer David Freyne describes it as a story about choosing between your first and last great loves. Drawing inspiration from films like “The Wizard of Oz” and “A Matter of Life and Death,” he aimed to create an afterlife that blends fantasy with reality. In “Eternity,” understanding and resolution ultimately depend on Joan and a decision only she can make.

When the past walks back into the frame

Joan passes away from cancer shortly after Larry, a battle they initially kept private. Similar to Larry, she appears at the Junction looking as she did in her youth—everyone arrives at the happiest point in their life. Elizabeth Olsen portrays her, full of energy and vitality. Their reunion feels seamless, picking up right where they left off with playful banter—”I told you to slow down on the pretzels!”—but the moment is interrupted by the sight of Luke (Callum Turner), Joan’s young husband who was lost in the Korean War just two years after their marriage. He’s spent eternity waiting for her, refusing to move on and instead working as a bartender in the Junction for 67 years, hoping for her arrival. Choosing to stay meant foregoing any other eternal possibilities.

Olsen explains that Joan’s shock was deeply profound, almost a physical reaction. She says, “It’s hard to grasp how incredibly overwhelmed she must feel. She made choices believing life had an end, but now it seems to go on forever, which is incredibly frustrating. She’s become a completely different person.” Luke embodies the life Joan always dreamed of, while Larry represents the life she actually created.

Joan is shocked and Larry is annoyed. Both are deeply in love with her and don’t want to share her with anyone else. To help Joan decide who she wants to be with, Anna and Ryan, the coordinators, allow her to experience a full day living with each of them in their respective worlds before she makes her final choice.

Two eternities, two versions of a life

Luke exists in a peaceful, idyllic afterlife – a beautiful, loving place frozen in time because his life was tragically cut short. He guides Joan through the Archives, a series of long, shadowy passages filled with living memories. These memories appear as incredibly realistic, life-sized scenes depicting their life together: their first encounter, a special dinner, his declaration of love, their wedding, and the heartbreaking moment he left for war – a day Joan still considers the worst of her life.

Larry picks Beach World – bright, busy, and not quite perfect. “This could have been a good getaway,” Joan remarks. They fall back into their familiar patterns, but the easy joy gives way to thoughtful remembrance. Joan remembers Larry’s funeral. They then fondly recall their first date: a flat tire, Larry’s endearing awkwardness, and his attempt to fix everything. She remembers the happy life they built together, but also the lingering sadness of her current situation. “I never got the chance to build a life with Luke,” she admits.

What really struck me about this film is the way the different love stories echo each other. Luke feels like the life Joan could have had, full of warmth and possibility, while Larry represents the love that actually made her who she is. Freyne really captures that both of these relationships were genuine and important. And it’s not just about Joan – you see hints of connection everywhere. There’s her friend Karen, who found herself again after loss, and even the sweet, messy relationship between Anna and Ryan. It’s like the film is exploring different versions of happiness, even through the imagined worlds – a world without men, a queer utopia, or even a world ruled by capitalism. They all feel like little thought experiments about what could make us truly happy.

Joan’s choice isn’t just about romance—it’s about which truth aligns with the woman she is now.

A quiet change of heart

When it was time to decide, Joan surprisingly chose neither of her suitors. She explained that what makes life precious is its ending – knowing it won’t last forever is what gives each day meaning. She preferred the idea of living life as she pleased, without being tied to anyone, and imagined a future where she could define her own eternity.

Honestly, watching Larry in that moment just floored me. He was clearly hurting, but his first instinct was still to do what was best for Joan. Seeing her hair longer, the way she used to wear it with Luke, it just hit him – she was truly happy with him. And that realization, it solidified everything for Larry. He genuinely wanted her to go back to that life, to that passionate connection. He basically told her she deserved that kind of love, even if it meant losing her. It was a totally selfless act, and it really defined their whole relationship – he prioritized her happiness, even if it broke his own heart. And she actually listened, which made it even more powerful.

I’ve been thinking about Luke and Joan’s story, and it really struck me how differently they cope with loss. Luke seems to find solace in recreating happy moments – picnics, wine, just appreciating the simple beauty around him. It’s lovely, but Joan… she’s drawn to the Archives, to the real memories. Not the idealized ones, but the everyday stuff – meeting Larry, raising their son, the quiet routines of life. And it’s this one tiny, almost forgotten argument that keeps circling back to her – a little disagreement in the car before their gender-reveal party, before everything changed. It’s fascinating because, looking back, that little annoyance now feels…sweet. It’s like what Freyne says – we crave that comfortable ease that only comes with a long relationship. Olsen nails it too – those little quirks that used to drive us crazy are often the things we end up loving most about someone.

Joan thinks about the person she could have become, but it was Larry who truly helped shape who she is today. She’s drawn back to him not because of fond memories, but because she realizes the woman she is now was built within the life they shared. Larry’s love didn’t stay stuck in the past—it evolved alongside her, becoming stronger with each stage of their lives. As Joan tells Luke, she acknowledges that her life went on after they separated.

He gets it, and cleverly keeps the Archives worker occupied so Joan can sneak back in. She navigates through countless memories, determined to find the life she’s realized she desires.

Looking back to look forward

Joan barely makes it back to the Junction, avoiding those who are chasing her for breaking the rule about returning from her chosen afterlife. Anna and Ryan take her to the bar – a cozy, well-used space with red carpets and worn wooden furniture. Larry is standing with his back to them, cleaning glasses, just as Luke used to do. He’s given up his life at Beach World and taken over Luke’s job. It’s a quiet way of showing that eternity isn’t enjoyable without Joan. If he couldn’t be with her, he decided he’d rather find purpose in work.

It was a tender moment. Relief washed over Joan’s face as she realized what she truly wanted. Larry reacted with complete understanding, as if he’d anticipated this all along. According to Freyne, they hadn’t wanted things to be predictable, but it needed to feel authentic. Ultimately, Joan was choosing a love that genuinely reflected her current self – and in doing so, choosing herself.

Joan confessed that Mountain World was simply too cold, and Larry responded with a smile. “I have a better idea,” he said. “When can we go?” she asked eagerly.

As the day gently faded towards evening, they walked onto a cozy, tree-lined street that felt instantly like home. It reminded Larry of their old neighborhood, Oakdale. “This is perfect,” Joan said, wrapping her arm around him.

They didn’t want a perfect, artificial world; they preferred something simpler and genuine. According to Freyne, their idea of forever is simply continuing to exist in the world they already knew and loved.

Their life wasn’t dramatic, and their love wasn’t filled with wild ups and downs. It was simply genuine – the everyday disagreements, the shared struggles, and the peaceful comfort they built together over time. Joan realizes that the simplicity of their lives now is what makes their lasting connection so meaningful. True love isn’t about having endless options, but about consistently choosing to return to the same person.

Olsen sees her film, Eternity, as a reflection of modern life. She explains that we’re constantly bombarded with the idea that something better exists – a better product, a better version of everything – leading to endless choices and a feeling of being overwhelmed. In this context, she believes true clarity – realizing that the consistent presence of a loved one is a deliberate, ongoing choice – is a beautiful thing.

Ultimately, the film Eternity proposes that the afterlife isn’t about reaching a perfect state, but about achieving complete understanding. The simple image of walking into a sunset isn’t just about looking back fondly; it represents Joan’s realization that a life well-lived—a life of chosen love and personal growth shared with someone you’ve grown alongside—is what truly matters. Despite being a story about eternity, Eternity feels profoundly human, suggesting that ‘forever’ simply means cherishing each day spent together.

Read More

2025-11-26 17:07