Ella McCay

❧

Wikipedia

Ella McCay
Ella McCay is seen raising a foot up in a white background, and behind her are portraits of the film's cast.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames L. Brooks
Written byJames L. Brooks
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRobert Elswit
Edited byTracey Wadmore-Smith
Music byHans Zimmer
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Studios
Release dates
  • December 9, 2025 (2025-12-09) (El Capitan Theatre)
  • December 12, 2025 (2025-12-12) (United States)
Running time
115 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$35 million[2]
Box office$3 million[3][4]

Ella McCay is a 2025 American political comedy-drama film written and directed by James L. Brooks. The film stars Emma Mackey in the title role with Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Fearn, Julie Kavner, Rebecca Hall, Albert Brooks, and Woody Harrelson.

Ella McCay premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on December 9, 2025, and was released in the United States by 20th Century Studios on December 12. The film received generally negative reviews from critics and grossed $3 million.

Plot

In 2008, 34-year-old Ella McCay, the lieutenant governor of an unnamed state, is told by her mentor, Governor Bill Moore, that he is accepting a cabinet position in the forthcoming presidential administration. Moore resigns immediately, leaving Ella to take over as governor for the remaining fourteen months of his tenure.

Ella is ambitious and idealistic, but unpopular within her party for long speeches and proactive political style. Meanwhile, a reporter is attempting to blackmail Ella for using a vacant apartment underneath the government building to have sex with her husband Ryan during lunch breaks, which she later learned qualified as misuse of government property. At her aunt Helen's bar, Ella is reunited with her estranged father Eddie, who threw her life in turmoil after cheating on her deceased mother Claire. Eddie announces that he is attempting to reconnect with his children at the request of his new girlfriend Olympia, though Ella rebuffs him for his lack of remorse.

Ella is later inaugurated, but Ryan is offended when she neglects to thank him in a lengthy speech. Ella sets to work passing a new bill that would offer support to new and expectant mothers, in turn benefiting their children in their most formative years. Ryan admits to having leaked word of their liaisons to the press. Disturbed, Ella seeks comfort with Helen, who bluntly tells her that Ryan is a "ticking time bomb". Ella visits her 20-year-old brother Casey, a bookmaker who has remained almost entirely in his apartment for the past year. Casey's self-imposed isolation is the result of having abruptly cut ties with his girlfriend Susan after she responded hesitantly to his impassioned declaration of love. Casey says that Eddie and Olympia have been leaving him invasive messages on his answering machine. Ella encourages Casey to reconnect with Susan.

Unwilling to let the story be leaked, Ella holds a press conference admitting to the scandal and offering to pay any restitution. Afterwards, Ella's approval ratings slightly improve. At her father's apartment, Ella tells Eddie to stop bothering Casey, and Eddie insincerely apologizes for his failings as a father. When Ella asks him if he ever cheated on Claire while she was dying, Eddie responds, "Not really." Meanwhile, Casey meets with Susan at her apartment, awkwardly rekindling their relationship together.

Ryan confronts Ella, furious that she held the press conference without consulting him. Ryan reveals that he bribed the reporter with a $7500 check, which Ella realizes can be used as proof of extortion. Ryan demands that Ella give him a position on her staff, or he will leave her and slander her reputation. Taking the blackmail as proof that Ryan does not love her, a heartbroken Ella refuses. Ryan then holds a press conference in which he announces their separation, blaming Ella for their marital breakdown, and claims that she is the one who attempted to pay off the reporter.

Party officials gather at Helen's bar, demanding that Ella either resign immediately or face being censured for the remainder of her term. On Bill's advice, Ella threatens to run for reelection as an independent and siphon votes from her party. The majority leader begrudgingly agrees to pass Ella's bill on the condition that she resigns from office. A defeated Ella leaves a mere three days after her inauguration and when Eddie asks her whether she accepted his tepid apology, Ella responds, "Not really." Meanwhile, Helen tips off the police about Ryan's role in the extortion, leading to his arrest. Casey's rekindled relationship with Susan thrives and he starts going out again. Ella starts a non-profit organization with Nash and Estelle that offers legal aid to impoverished families, enabling her to do more good beyond the confines of government.

Cast

Production

In November 2023, it was announced that James L. Brooks was set to write and direct his first film in thirteen years, with 20th Century Studios set as the distributor and Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edebiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani and Spike Fearn set to star.[11] In February 2024, Jack Lowden and Rebecca Hall joined the cast.[12][13]

Principal photography began in Rhode Island on February 1, 2024.[14][15] Filming was announced as wrapped on May 3,[16] but as of January 2025, more scenes were planned to be shot in Rhode Island in March.[17] It was also expected to shoot in Cleveland and New Orleans that same month.[18][19] In March 2025, Julie Kavner, Becky Ann Baker and Joey Brooks were revealed to be part of the cast.[20] For Kavner, it was her first role not associated with The Simpsons, where she voices Marge Simpson, in nearly 20 years.

Music

Hans Zimmer provided the film's score, marking his fifth collaboration with James L. Brooks. The soundtrack was released on December 12, 2025.[21]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on December 9, 2025,[22] and was released in the United States on December 12. It was previously scheduled to release on September 19, 2025.[23]

Reception

Box office

In the United States and Canada, Ella McCay was projected to gross around $4 million from 2,500 theaters in its opening weekend.[2] It ultimately bombed with a $2.1 million opening; Deadline Hollywood pointed to poor critical reception and speculated: "Once upon a time, Ella McCay would have clicked ... Prestige drama/dramedies, which audiences use to find in theaters thanks to Brooks, are too prevalent on TV at home. Why leave the house to watch them (now)?"[24]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 22% of 103 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Well-intentioned but woefully undisciplined, James L. Brooks' comedy about a woman trying to have it all is so tonally misjudged that it winds up with not much of anything to recommend."[25] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 38 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[26] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B-" on an A+ to F scale.[27]

Adrian Horton of The Guardian called the film "...a mess – a clunky collection of incoherent characters and confounding plot that seem to defy basic story logic at every turn, and not in a surprising or intriguing way", and Nick Schager of the The Daily Beast said it was "...woefully short on charm, its plot a contrived hodgepodge of so many similar ’80s and ’90s tales that it plays as a brand-spanking new relic."[28][29]

In positive reviews, Nell Minow of RogerEbert.com said, "Its optimism is so refreshing, its dialogue so smart, and its characters and performances so endearing, it well rewards a watch," and Adam Nayman of Sight and Sound stated, "There are worse feelings to have at a movie than the suspicion that everything will work out just fine for the people who deserve it, and taken on its own terms, Brooks’ tale of virtue as its own reward is sufficiently endearing."[30][31]

References

  1. ↑ "Ella McCay [M]". Australian Classification Board. November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Rubin, Rebecca (December 10, 2025). "Box Office: 'Zootopia 2' Battles 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' for No. 1 as 'Ella McCay' Aims for $4 Million Debut". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Ella McCay - Box Office and Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ella McCay". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ "The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages". Getty Images. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages". Getty Images. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  7. ↑ "The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages". Getty Images. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ "The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages". Getty Images. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ "The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages". Getty Images. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  10. ↑ Lin, Kristian (December 11, 2025). "Ella McCay: I'm Not With Her". Fort Worth Weekly. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kroll, Justin (November 20, 2023). "James L. Brooks New Film Ella McCay Sets All-Star Ensemble That Includes Emma Mackey, Woody Harrelson, Jamie Lee Curtis And Albert Brooks As 20th Century Boards Project". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  12. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 7, 2024). "Slow Horses Star Jack Lowden Joins James L. Brooks Next Film Ella McCay". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  13. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 20, 2024). "Rebecca Hall Joins James L. Brooks Next Film 'Ella McCay' For 20th Century". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  14. ↑ Parker, Paul Edward (September 13, 2025). ""Ella McCay" film locations around Rhode Island: Take a look". The Providence Journal. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  15. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Edward (February 1, 2024). "In R.I. to film a movie, Jamie Lee Curtis tells California: 'This is how you do it'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  16. ↑ "'And that's a wrap!' Filming of 'Ella McCay' concludes Friday evening". The Providence Journal. May 3, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  17. ↑ Parker, Paul Edward (January 5, 2025). "'Ella McCay' movie to return to Providence for more filming in March". The Providence Journal. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Tax Credits Awarded for 8 Ohio Film Productions". The Business Journal. August 2, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Productions". Film New Orleans. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  20. ↑ Gardener, Chris (March 31, 2025). "James L. Brooks Set to Receive CinemaCon Award Ahead of Release of New Film 'Ella McCay'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Hans Zimmer Scoring James L. Brooks' 'Ella McCay'". Film Music Reporter. October 21, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  22. ↑ Shotwell, Richard (December 10, 2025). "World Premiere of Ella McCay". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  23. ↑ Lang, Brent (April 25, 2025). "James L. Brooks' 'Ella McCay' Bumped to December Release Date". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  24. ↑ [https://deadline.com/2025/12/box-office-zootopia-2-five-nights-at-freddys-2-ella-mccay-1236647494/ NEWS ‘Zootopia 2’s Third Weekend $26M+ No. 1 Win Herds Moviegoers; ‘Ella McCay’ Not OK – Sunday Box Office Update]
  25. ↑ "Ella McCay". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Ella McCay". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  27. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 13, 2025). "'Zootopia 2's Third Weekend $26M No. 1 Win Herds Moviegoers; 'Ella McCay' Not OK – Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  28. ↑ Horton, Adrian (December 10, 2025). "Ella McCay review – James L Brooks returns with a sorry mess of a movie". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Beloved 'Terms of Endearment' Director Delivers Epic Flop". The Daily Beast. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  30. ↑ Minow, Nell. "Ella McCay movie review & film summary (2025) | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  31. ↑ Nayman, Adam (December 12, 2025). "Ella McCay review: a sleepy political comedy". British Film Institute. Retrieved December 13, 2025.