From being in talks to join The Batman to landing a role in Paper Tiger, 2025 turned out to be a whirlwind year for Scarlett Johansson. She also dominated the box office with Jurassic World: Rebirth, which was released in July and went on to gross over $869 million worldwide, keeping her in the headlines. But behind the noise, Johansson was quietly working on her first directorial feature film last year.

While it may have flown under the radar during its theatrical release, this film is a must-watch, especially now that it is streaming on Netflix.

Scarlett Johansson made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great. The film premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and drew praise from critics and viewers alike. Although it had a modest theatrical run, grossing $3.74 million worldwide after its September 2025 release, Eleanor the Great is now getting the attention it deserves, rising into Netflix’s Top 10.

Starring June Squibb, the film follows Eleanor Morgenstein, a woman who begins telling the story of her late best friend, Ho------- survivor Bessie Stern, as if it were her own. She also befriends a college journalism student, Nina Davis, but her lies soon start spiraling out of control in this comedy-drama. Moreover, this film also features real Ho------- survivors, including Rita Zohar (Bessie) in the cast, something Johansson spoke about in an interview with People.

'Batman II' Cast (2027): All about Robert Pattinson, Colin Farrell, Scarlett Johansson, and More

But with real survivors involved, was the movie directed by the highest grossing actress, inspired by true events?

Eleanor the Great is not based on a real-life incident. However, the character of Eleanor was inspired by screenwriter Tory Kamen’s grandmother, Elinore, who also had a best friend named Bessie. Still, in an interview with Script Magazine, Kamen clarified that the film is not meant to be a documentary.

"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," she said.

Much like Kamen, Johansson was also inspired by her own grandmother to join the film as a director. In an interview with Parade, the actress shared that her grandmother had always encouraged her to explore different creative paths. So while the film is not drawn from a true story, several elements in the movie make it heartfelt and unforgettable.

Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johansson Join Massive 800 Creatives Anti-AI Campaign

Have you watched Eleanor the Great yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.