| Ella McCay | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | James L. Brooks |
| Written by | James L. Brooks |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Robert Elswit |
| Edited by | Tracey Wadmore-Smith |
| Music by | Hans Zimmer |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Studios |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 115 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $35 million[2] |
| Box office | $4.56 million[3][4] |
Ella McCay is a 2025 Americanpoliticalcomedy-drama film written and directed byJames L. Brooks. The film starsEmma Mackey in the title role withJamie Lee Curtis,Jack Lowden,Kumail Nanjiani,Ayo Edebiri,Spike Fearn,Julie Kavner,Rebecca Hall,Albert Brooks, andWoody Harrelson.
Ella McCay premiered at theEl Capitan Theatre on December 9, 2025, and was released in the United States by20th Century Studios on December 12. The film received unfavorable reviews from critics and grossed $4.56 million on a $35 million budget.
In 2008, Ella McCay, thelieutenant governor of an unnamed state, is told by hermentor, Governor Bill Moore, that he is accepting a cabinet position in the forthcomingpresidential 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 younger brother Casey, abookmaker 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 theirseparation, 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 beingcensured for the remainder of her term. On Bill's advice, Ella threatens to run for reelection as an independent andsiphon votes from her party. Themajority 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.
In November 2023, it was announced thatJames L. Brooks was set to write and direct his first film in thirteen years, with20th Century Studios set as the distributor andEmma Mackey,Jamie Lee Curtis,Woody Harrelson,Ayo Edebiri,Albert Brooks,Kumail Nanjiani andSpike Fearn set to star.[11] In February 2024,Jack Lowden andRebecca Hall joined the cast.[12][13]
Principal photography began inRhode Island on February 1, 2024.[14][15] Filming was announced aswrapped 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 inCleveland andNew 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 withThe Simpsons, where she voicesMarge Simpson, in nearly 20 years.
Hans Zimmer provided the film's score, marking his fifth collaboration with James L. Brooks. The soundtrack was released on December 12, 2025.[21]
The film had its world premiere at theEl Capitan Theatre inLos 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] It was announced in December 2025 thatDisney pulledElla McCay from its scheduled theatrical release in France on January 7, 2026.[24][25]
Ella McCay was released for digital purchase and rental on January 27, 2026, and forBlu-ray, andDVD on March 3, 2026 fromSony Pictures Home Entertainment. It was released onHulu and Hulu onDisney+ on February 5, 2026.[26]
In the United States and Canada,Ella McCay was projected to gross around $4 million from 2,500 theaters in its opening weekend;[2] however, it ultimately returned just over $2.1 million, making for a per-theater average of $808.[24]Deadline Hollywood pointed to poor critical reception and speculated: "Once upon a time,Ella McCay would have clicked ... Prestige drama/dramedies, which audiences used to find in theaters thanks to Brooks, are too prevalent on TV at home. Why leave the house to watch them (now)?"[27] In the second week of its theatrical run,Ella McCay saw a 77% decline in box office gross. Box office gross declined a further 75% in its third week and 68% in its fourth week.[28]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 24% of 131 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Well-intentioned but woefully undisciplined, James L. Brooks's comedy about a woman trying to have it all is so tonally misjudged that it winds up with not much of anything to recommend."[29]Metacritic, which uses aweighted average, assigned the film a score of 39 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[30] Audiences polled byCinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B-" on an A+ to F scale.[31]
Adrian Horton ofThe 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 theThe 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."[32][33]
In positive reviews,Nell Minow ofRogerEbert.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 ofSight 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’s tale of virtue as its own reward is sufficiently endearing."[34][35]
The poster inspired aninternet meme known as the Ella McCay Challenge.[36][37]
