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Meet 'Ella McCay,' the Latest Big Screen Muse of Oscar Winner James L. Brooks

James L. Brooks returns with Ella McCay, his first film in 15 years, opening Dec. 12, 2025 via 20th Century Studios and The Walt Disney Company.
Motivated by personal history and a reaction to forgiving endings, Brooks said he made the film to evoke a less divisive 2008 and explore trauma and family dynamics with autobiographical elements.
Filming in Rhode Island featured a vacant State House in Providence, Blithewold Manor in Bristol, and a purpose-built fictional Helen’s 445 Tavern set, with Ayo Edebiri cast early for her improv skills.
On screen, Emma Mackey portrays Ella at ages 16 and 34, with Jamie Lee Curtis praising `She is so unbelievably great in this movie and so beautiful and funny and fragile and fierce and complicated, like a young Katharine Hepburn`.
Stylistically, the film channels screwball comedies of the 1940s and 1950s while James L. Brooks continues crafting lingering, three-dimensional female characters.

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16 Articles

Time Magazine

Lean Left

Emma Mackey on Growing Up On-Screen

After breaking out in Netflix's Sex Education, Mackey takes the leading role in James L. Brooks' return to the movies.

13 hours ago·United States

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Variety

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‘Ella McCay’ Review: James L. Brooks’ Latest Misfire Is Too Enamored With Its Characters to Recognize Their Flaws

Whereas imperfections typically make James L. Brooks' movies relatable, the characters are phony to a fault in portrait of perfectionistic politician.

3 days ago·Los Angeles, United States

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USA Today

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Rising star Emma Mackey finds her voice (and scream) as 'Ella McCay'

James L. Brooks calls her a "generational talent." Meet Emma Mackey, a fresh face in "Ella McCay" and a rising star soon heading to magical Narnia.

3 days ago·United States

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Deadline

Center

‘Ella McCay’ Review: James L. Brooks Is Back With Smart Comedy About Idealistic Female Governor Trying To Survive Her Family

A review of 'Ella McCay' , a new film from Oscar winner James L. Brooks centered on an idealistic woman balancing personal and political earthquakes

3 days ago·Los Angeles, United States

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IndieWire

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‘Ella McCay’ Review: James L. Brooks Returns with an Old-Fashioned Dramedy Inspired by Screwball Films of Yore

Emma Mackey stars as an eager politician beset on all sides by personal struggles in a film that rewards serious suspension of disbelief.

3 days ago·Los Angeles, United States

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The Seattle Times

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‘Ella McCay’ is blandly pleasant: Nothing more, nothing less

It’s not at all unpleasant spending two hours with "Ella McCay," but it leaves you feeling a little nostalgic for what it could have been, writes Moira Macdonald.

3 days ago·Seattle, United States

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