Scarlett Johansson makes rare New York appearance with Colin Jost at Eleanor the Great screening
The actress-director attended a Cinema Society screening of her debut, joined by husband Colin Jost and co-stars in New York. The Cannes premiere drew praise, while critical reaction has been mixed.
Scarlett Johansson made a rare public appearance in New York on Wednesday, walking the red carpet with her husband Colin Jost for a screening of her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great. The event, hosted by The Cinema Society, marked a high-profile night for Johansson as she steps into the role behind the camera rather than in front of it.
Johansson appeared hand-in-hand with Jost, flashing a smile for photographers while donning a white blazer with dramatic shoulder pads paired with matching wide-leg trousers and a lace bodysuit underneath. The look was completed with heels, underscoring the actress-turned-filmmaker’s polished red-carpet style. Joining Johansson on the red carpet were her film’s cast and crew, including co-star Erin Kellyman, who plays Nina, as well as Jessica Hecht and Will Price.
The film centers on Eleanor Morgenstein, a woman in her mid-90s who leaves Florida for New York after her best friend, a Holocaust survivor, dies. At a local Jewish Community Center, Eleanor accidentally attends a gathering for Holocaust survivors and, instead of confessing the mix-up, she adopts her late friend’s story of surviving the Holocaust. The lie snowballs into a series of misunderstandings that drive the drama. Johansson chose not to appear in Eleanor the Great herself, instead steering the project from behind the camera.
The project has already drawn attention on the festival circuit. Eleanor the Great premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it earned a five-minute standing ovation from attendees, signaling strong early support for Johansson’s directorial effort. Critics have offered a mixed reception since, with Rotten Tomatoes tallying a 64 percent rating from top critics, reflecting a divide over its storytelling and tonal approach. The film’s reception in New York adds another layer to its ongoing conversation among festival-goers and cinephiles alike.
In addition to discussing her film, Johansson touched on her husband’s television plans. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she confirmed that Jost will be returning to Saturday Night Live after a wave of cast departures ahead of season 51. EW noted that four co-stars — Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim — would not return, but Michael Che will remain at the Weekend Update desk alongside Jost. Johansson described Jost’s return as part of the show continuing its long-running dynamic, saying, in effect, that work on SNL is resuming as the show moves toward the upcoming season.
Johansson has made several public appearances connected to SNL in recent years, often participating in satirical bits and jokes written by Che and performed with her husband. While she did not say whether she would host SNL again this season, she expressed warmth about the possibility, noting that she enjoys the occasional, humorous crossovers with the program. The broader context of her public life remains tied to the dual track of her film work and her ongoing association with the late-night show.
June Squibb, who plays Eleanor in the film, drew attention on the carpet in a vivid floral kimono layered over a satin cami and trousers, offering a striking counterpoint to Johansson’s streamlined, modern tailoring. Squibb, at 95 years old, has been widely praised for her performance and has expressed openness to an SNL hosting possibility should the opportunity arise, joining the broader conversation about long-running artists returning to the show.
Beyond the central cast, the film includes a cast of supporting players who contribute to the narrative’s emotional and historical resonance. Sami Steigmann, aged 84, attended the screening and appears in the film as a Holocaust survivor who features in the broader story that frames Eleanor’s misadventures in her late-life New York relocation. The film’s exploration of memory, identity, and deception positions it at the intersection of character-driven drama and social history, a balance that Johansson has described as central to her cinematic intentions.
As the dialogue around Eleanor the Great continues, Johansson’s dual role as director and public figure remains a focal point of media attention. The New York screening gave fans and critics a closer look at the tonal ambitions of the project, as well as the dynamics of Johansson’s collaboration with an ensemble cast that includes June Squibb and Erin Kellyman. While early reactions are mixed, the film’s Cannes ovation and ongoing festival presence suggest it will remain part of the conversation as it seeks a wider release and potential festival re-engagements.
The night also underscored Johansson’s evolving position within popular culture, where a director’s debut can redefine public perception of an actor who has long been associated with high-profile acting roles. As she continues to shepherd Eleanor the Great through critical and artistic evaluation, the industry will watch closely how Johansson balances creative leadership with audience expectations, and whether the film will cultivate a broader appreciation that mirrors its Cannes reception.
Overall, the evening reinforced Johansson’s status as a prominent figure in both cinema and television circles, capable of drawing attention to a project that blends intimate drama with historical memory. With Jost’s SNL return confirmed and renewed industry focus on the film, Eleanor the Great stands as a notable milestone in Johansson’s career, one that will likely influence discussions of her future projects and potential collaborations as she navigates the evolving landscape of Culture & Entertainment.