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For the second year in a row, June Squibb <\/strong>is generating Oscar buzz.<\/p>\n The 95-year-old actress, who received critical acclaim for her first leading role in the 2024 comedy Thelma<\/em>, is once again in awards contention with Eleanor the Great<\/em>. Helmed by Scarlett Johansson<\/strong> in her feature directorial debut, the film premiered to mixed reviews at the 2025 Venice Film Festival \u2014 but all were glowing for Squibb. Watch the trailer below and keep reading for everything you need to know.<\/p>\n More from Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Written by Tory Kamen<\/strong>, Eleanor the Great <\/em>focuses on the titular Eleanor (Squibb), who moves to New York from Florida after the death of her best friend and roommate, Bessie, a Holocaust survivor. The story takes a turn when Eleanor finds herself sitting in a Holocaust survivors’ support group and proceeds to share Bessie\u2019s story as her own. Complications ensue.<\/p>\n Sony Pictures Classics will release Eleanor the Great<\/em> on Sept. 26.<\/p>\n Joining Squibb onscreen is an impressive ensemble that includes Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor<\/strong> as Roger, a local news anchor; Jessica Hecht<\/strong> as Eleanor’s daughter, Lisa; Erin Kellyman<\/strong> as Nina, an aspiring journalist; and Rita Zohar<\/strong> as Bessie, Eleanor’s lifelong best friend.<\/p>\n Collaborating with Johansson behind the camera are cinematographer H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Louvart<\/strong>, editor Harry Jierjian<\/strong>, and composer Dustin O’Halloran<\/strong>, an Oscar nominee in 2017 for his score for Lion<\/em>. Producers for the film include Johansson, Jessamine Burgum<\/strong>, Charlotte Dauphin<\/strong>, Kara Durrett<\/strong>, Keenan Flynn<\/strong>, Jonathan Lia<\/strong>, Celine Rattray<\/strong>, and Trudie Styler<\/strong>.<\/p>\n There’s already early buzz surrounding Squibb, who kicked off her awards campaign by presenting alongside Johansson at the 2025 Oscars. Following the film’s premiere in Cannes back in May, the veteran actress earned a standing ovation for her performance, which critics described as “a pure joy from start to finish<\/a>,” and “the finest performance of her career.”<\/p>\n Squibb currently sits in 11th place in Gold Derby’s early Oscar odds<\/a> for Best Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards. While she may be seen as an underdog for the Oscar, her chances could improve at the Golden Globes, where six nominees are recognized in both the drama and comedy\/musical categories. However, any recognition for the film beyond Squibb’s performance is considered an outside shot at this stage.<\/p>\n If nominated for an Oscar, it would mark Squibb’s second Academy Award nod. Her first came in 2014 when she earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her standout role in Nebraska<\/em>.<\/p>\n Best of Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat’s it about?<\/h3>\n
When does it come out?<\/h3>\n
Who’s in the cast?<\/h3>\n
Who’s behind the scenes?<\/h3>\n
Awards potential<\/h3>\n