While the events of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut are fictional, the character of Eleanor was inspired by the screenwriter’s own grandmother. The film masterfully weaves this personal inspiration with the powerful, true stories of real Holocaust survivors featured in its cast.
Released in theaters in September 2025 and now a top 10 hit on Netflix, Eleanor the Great marks a significant moment: it is Scarlett Johansson‘s feature film directorial debut. The comedy-drama, starring June Squibb in the titular role, has sparked widespread conversation about its connection to real-life events and people.
The film follows Eleanor Morgenstein, who, after the death of her friend and roommate Bessie Stern, moves from Florida to New York to live with her daughter. A pivotal moment occurs when Eleanor accidentally joins a support group for Holocaust survivors and tells Bessie’s harrowing life story as if it were her own. This lie quickly spirals, creating a complex web of consequences for her family and new friends.
The Real Inspiration: Screenwriter Tory Kamen’s Grandmother
So, is Eleanor the Great based on a true story? The short answer is no, the specific events depicted in the film are not a factual account. However, the character of Eleanor was directly inspired by the real-life grandmother of the movie’s screenwriter, Tory Kamen.
According to Deadline, Kamen’s grandmother was named Elinore. Like the character in the film, Elinore moved from Florida to Manhattan in her later years, specifically at the age of 95. Kamen has been clear, however, that the film is not a documentary of her grandmother’s life. “I don’t want people walking into the theater like, ‘Wait, was the writer’s Grandma a psychopath?’ because [the character] does some terrible things,” Kamen told Script Magazine.
Kamen’s grandmother, Elinore, passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic at the age of 99. The screenwriter fondly remembers her as a vibrant, independent woman who lived alone in New York until the very end. The film also mirrors this real-life detail by naming Eleanor’s best friend Bessie, just as Kamen’s grandmother had a best friend of the same name.
A Cast of Real Survivors: Honoring True Stories
While Eleanor’s story is fictional, Eleanor the Great is deeply rooted in truth through its casting and portrayal of the Holocaust. Actress Rita Zohar, who plays Eleanor’s friend Bessie, is a real Holocaust survivor. Born in 1944 in a concentration camp in what is now Ukraine, Zohar’s life story is a testament to resilience.
“When the Russians came and liberated the camp, at that time, I was 4 and 1/2 months old, and that probably saved my life, because I wouldn’t have been able to survive longer than that,” Zohar shared with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. For Zohar, the role was profoundly personal, giving her a platform to share a history that is not her own but is intrinsically connected to the film’s narrative. “Even though this is not my story, this is not what happened to me or my family, but still, by being able to verbalize it, I connected to Bessie, and I became Bessie in the film,” she explained.
Johansson made the conscious decision to cast real survivors to add authenticity and gravity to the film. “It wasn’t really ever a question of whether we would cast real survivors. It was more of how can we identify people that would want to participate, could participate,” she told PEOPLE. This choice elevates the film beyond fiction, grounding it in the real, lived experiences of those who endured history’s darkest chapters.
Johansson’s Personal Connection to the Material
The film’s inspiration extends beyond the screenwriter. Johansson herself was drawn to the project by its deep personal resonance. “My grandmother would have been proud that I directed a film,” Johansson told Parade, reflecting on the supportive role her own grandmother played in her life and career.
The director felt a strong connection to the script’s themes of Jewish identity, intergenerational relationships, and the character of New York itself. “It had elements in it that were familiar to me,” she recalled. “That was something very appealing to me there. So, it had so many elements that I was felt very connected to. I felt I could film it. ‘Actually, I think I can direct this.'” Johansson also revealed that members of her extended family were victims of the Holocaust, adding another layer of personal meaning to her work on the film. She noted that Eleanor’s character feels universal, containing “pieces of everyone’s grandma in there.”
Eleanor the Great stands as a powerful example of how cinema can blend personal history with universal truths. By taking inspiration from a real person’s life and honoring the true stories of Holocaust survivors, Johansson has crafted a film that is both a compelling work of fiction and a moving tribute to resilience and memory.
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