{{Short description|2025 film by James L. Brooks}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = Ella McCay | image = Ella McCay poster.jpg | alt = Ella McCay is seen raising a foot up in a white background, and behind her are portraits of the film's cast. | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = James L. Brooks | producer = {{Plainlist| * James L. Brooks * Richard Sakai * Julie Ansell * Jennifer Brooks }} | writer = James L. Brooks | starring = {{Plainlist|<!-- Cast listing order per billing block--> * Emma Mackey * Jamie Lee Curtis * Jack Lowden * Kumail Nanjiani * Ayo Edebiri * Spike Fearn * Julie Kavner * Rebecca Hall * Albert Brooks * Woody Harrelson }} | music = Hans Zimmer | cinematography = Robert Elswit | editing = Tracey Wadmore-Smith | studio = Gracie Films | distributor = 20th Century Studios | released = {{Film date|2025|12|9|El Capitan Theatre|2025|12|12|United States}} | runtime = 115 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2025 |title=''Ella McCay'' [M] |url=https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/ella-mccay |access-date=November 15, 2025 |website=Australian Classification Board}}</ref> | country = United States | language = English | budget = $35 million<ref name=budget>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=December 10, 2025 |title=Box Office: ‘Zootopia 2’ Battles ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ for No. 1 as ‘Ella McCay’ Aims for $4 Million Debut |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/box-office-zootopia-2-five-nights-at-freddys-2-ella-mccay-debut-1236604450/ |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> | gross = $5 million<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ella McCay - Box Office and Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Ella-McCay-(2025)#tab=summary |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=The Numbers}}</ref><ref name="BOM">{{Cite web |title= Ella McCay |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4029579265/?ref_=bo_we_table_7 |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> }} '''''Ella McCay''''' is a 2025 American political comedy-drama film written and directed by James L. Brooks. Starring Emma Mackey in the titular role with Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Fearn, Julie Kavner, Rebecca Hall, Albert Brooks, and Woody Harrelson, the film follows fictional politician Ella McCay as she juggles the duties of governor with her own family issues.
''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 unfavorable reviews from American critics and grossed $5 million on a $35 million budget.
==Plot== In 2008, 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 younger 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 ''Mom's Bill'', and a bill providing dental care for children, on the condition that she resigns from office. A defeated Ella leaves a mere three days after her inauguration{{snd}}with a superlative record of legislative accomplishment. When Eddie asks her whether she accepted his tepid apology, Ella responds, "Not really.", freeing her from his abuse. 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== * Emma Mackey as Ella McCay * Jamie Lee Curtis as Helen McCay, Ella and Casey's aunt and Eddie's older sister * Jack Lowden as Ryan Newell, Ella's husband<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages |url=https://dam.gettyimages.com/thewaltdisneystudios/allaccess/#!asset/8khwbbrc9rx6hf96rzn6ks |website=Getty Images |access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref> * Kumail Nanjiani as State Trooper Nash, Ella's driver and bodyguard<ref>{{cite web |title=The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages |url=https://dam.gettyimages.com/thewaltdisneystudios/allaccess/#!asset/n5kr8bt3tbqchv4j5pv69vn |website=Getty Images |access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref> * Ayo Edebiri as Susan, Casey's ex-girlfriend * Julie Kavner as Estelle, Ella's secretary and the film's narrator<ref>{{cite web |title=The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages |url=https://dam.gettyimages.com/thewaltdisneystudios/allaccess/#!asset/8khwbbrc9rx6hf96rzn6ks |website=Getty Images |access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref> * Spike Fearn as Casey McCay, Ella's younger brother<ref>{{cite web |title=The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages |url=https://dam.gettyimages.com/thewaltdisneystudios/allaccess/#!asset/k8fv3frkrsbp9zjpggv36rw |website=Getty Images |access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref> * Rebecca Hall as Claire McCay, Ella and Casey's deceased mother * Albert Brooks as Governor Bill Moore<ref>{{cite web |title=The Walt Disney Studios: All Access Pages |url=https://dam.gettyimages.com/thewaltdisneystudios/allaccess/#!asset/bkrmjg799hwb3mn753kmpx7k |website=Getty Images |access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref> * Woody Harrelson as Eddie McCay, Ella and Casey's father and Helen's younger brother * Becky Ann Baker as Mrs. Newell, Ryan’s mother * Sheetal Sheth as Audrey * Joey Brooks as State Trooper Alexander * Tracey Ullman as the voice of Olympia, Eddie's girlfriend<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lin |first=Kristian |date=2025-12-11 |title=Ella McCay: I'm Not With Her |url=https://www.fwweekly.com/2025/12/11/ella-mccay-im-not-with-her/ |access-date=2025-12-11 |website=Fort Worth Weekly}}</ref>
== Production == [[File:Helen's 445 restaurant set for "Ella McCay".jpg|thumb|right|upright|250px|The set in Providence, Rhode Island for the Helen's 445 restaurant featured in ''Ella McCay'']] 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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=November 20, 2023 |title=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 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/james-l-brooks-film-ella-mccay-emma-mackey-woody-harrelson-jamie-lee-curtis-albert-brooks-1235630204/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref> In February 2024, Jack Lowden and Rebecca Hall joined the cast.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title=''Slow Horses'' Star Jack Lowden Joins James L. Brooks Next Film ''Ella McCay'' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/slow-horses-jack-lowden-james-l-brooks-ella-mccay-1235818282/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |access-date=February 7, 2024|date=February 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Rebecca Hall Joins James L. Brooks Next Film 'Ella McCay' For 20th Century |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/rebecca-hall-james-l-brooks-ella-mccay-1235831796/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref>
Principal photography began in Rhode Island on February 1, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Paul Edward |date=September 13, 2025 |title="Ella McCay" film locations around Rhode Island: Take a look |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2024/05/16/ella-mccay-film-locations-around-rhode-island-take-a-look/73691453007 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |language=en-US |access-date=May 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Edward |date=February 1, 2024 |title=In R.I. to film a movie, Jamie Lee Curtis tells California: 'This is how you do it' |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/01/metro/ri-film-movie-jamie-lee-curtis-tells-california-this-is-how-you-do-it/ |website=The Boston Globe |language=en-US |access-date=February 2, 2024}}</ref> Filming was announced as wrapped on May 3,<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Paul Edward |date=May 3, 2024 |title='And that's a wrap!' Filming of 'Ella McCay' concludes Friday evening |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2024/05/03/ella-mccay-filming-ends-after-3-months-in-settings-around-ri/73562968007/ |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US |access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref> but as of January 2025, more scenes were planned to be shot in Rhode Island in March.<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Paul Edward |date=January 5, 2025 |title='Ella McCay' movie to return to Providence for more filming in March |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2025/01/05/will-jamie-lee-curtis-be-back-when-ella-mccay-shoots-more-in-ri/77473475007/ |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US |access-date=January 6, 2025}}</ref> It was also expected to shoot in Cleveland and New Orleans that same month.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tax Credits Awarded for 8 Ohio Film Productions |url=https://businessjournaldaily.com/tax-credits-awarded-for-8-ohio-film-productions/ |website=The Business Journal |language=en-US |date=August 2, 2023 |access-date=January 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Productions |url=https://filmneworleans.org/productions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216125915/https://filmneworleans.org/productions/ |archive-date=February 16, 2025 |website=Film New Orleans |language=en-US |access-date=February 16, 2025}}</ref> In March 2025, Julie Kavner, Becky Ann Baker and Joey Brooks were revealed to be part of the cast.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gardener |first=Chris |date=March 31, 2025 |title=James L. Brooks Set to Receive CinemaCon Award Ahead of Release of New Film 'Ella McCay' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-l-brooks-new-film-ella-mccay-cinemacon-award-1236175982/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 21, 2025|title=Hans Zimmer Scoring James L. Brooks' 'Ella McCay'|url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2025/10/21/hans-zimmer-scoring-james-l-brooks-ella-mccay/|access-date=October 21, 2025|work=Film Music Reporter}}</ref>
==Release== ===Theatrical === The film had its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on December 9, 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shotwell |first=Richard |date=December 10, 2025 |title=World Premiere of ''Ella McCay'' |url=https://www.timesargus.com/news/national/world-premiere-of-ella-mccay/image_e404c722-ecfe-532b-b6f0-d401ec1d80f7.html |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=Barre Montpelier Times Argus |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214055645/https://www.timesargus.com/news/national/world-premiere-of-ella-mccay/image_e404c722-ecfe-532b-b6f0-d401ec1d80f7.html|archive-date=December 14, 2025}}</ref> and was released in the United States on December 12. It was previously scheduled to release on September 19, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=April 25, 2025 |title=James L. Brooks' 'Ella McCay' Bumped to December Release Date |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sam-raimi-send-help-james-l-brooks-ella-mccay-release-dates-disney-moves-elio-1236308329/ |access-date=April 25, 2025 |website=Variety}}</ref> As a result of the initial poor reception, Disney pulled ''Ella McCay'' from its scheduled theatrical release in France and instead released it on Disney+ on February 5, 2026.<ref name=Collider/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/disney-cancels-release-biggest-2025-061320251.html|title=Disney Cancels Release of Its Biggest 2025 Flop Overseas|website=Yahoo! Entertainment|date=December 23, 2025|author=Abdul Azim Naushad|access-date=December 24, 2025}}</ref><ref name="PremiereOrozco"/> However, following immense backlash and unexpected critical acclaim in France, the film will receive a limited two-day release in over 100 cinemas on May 15 and 16, 2026.<ref name="PremiereOrozco">{{cite news|last=Orozco|first=Edouard|title=Ella McCay va bénéficier d'une sortie exceptionnelle dans les cinémas français|url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/News-Cinema/Ella-McCay-va-beneficier-d-une-sortie-exceptionnelle-dans-les-cinemas-francais|access-date=April 21, 2026|work=Première|date=April 16, 2026|language=French}}</ref><ref>[https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2026/4/16/ella-mccay-gets-french-theatrical-run-after-critics-rave-disney-release-james-l-brooks-says-i-was-deeply-touched Ella McCay’ Set for French Theatrical Run After Critics Hail Disney+ Release, James L. Brooks Says, "I Was Deeply Touched"]</ref>
===Home media=== ''Ella McCay'' was released for digital purchase and rental on January 27, 2026, and for Blu-ray, and DVD on March 3, 2026 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. It was released on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on February 5, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharpe |first=Josh |title=ELLA MCCAY Sets Hulu Streaming Debut for February |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/ELLA-MCCAY-Sets-Hulu-Streaming-Debut-for-February-20260122 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
==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;<ref name=budget/> however, it ultimately returned just over $2.1 million, making for a per-theater average of $808.<ref name=Collider>{{cite web |last=Hodges |first=Jack |date=December 23, 2025 |title=Disney Quietly Cancels Theatrical Release of New Movie |url=https://collider.com/ella-mccay-french-release-cancelled-disney-box-office-bomb/ |website=Collider |language=en-US |access-date=December 24, 2025}}</ref> ''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)?"<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 14, 2025 |title=‘Zootopia 2’s Third Weekend $26M+ No. 1 Win Herds Moviegoers; ‘Ella McCay’ Not OK – Sunday Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2025/12/box-office-zootopia-2-five-nights-at-freddys-2-ella-mccay-1236647494/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |access-date=January 12, 2026}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ella McCay (2025) |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Ella-McCay-(2025)#tab=box-office |website=The Numbers |language=en-US |access-date=January 15, 2026}}</ref>
===Critical response=== {{Metacritic breakdown|positive=5|mixed=18|negative=13}} {{RT prose|23|3=138|4=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.|ref=y|access-date=May 21, 2026}} {{Metacritic film prose|39|36|ref=yes|access-date=December 21, 2025}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B-" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2025-12-13 |title=‘Zootopia 2’s Third Weekend $26M No. 1 Win Herds Moviegoers; ‘Ella McCay’ Not OK – Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2025/12/box-office-zootopia-2-five-nights-at-freddys-2-ella-mccay-1236647494/ |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}</ref>
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 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."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=2025-12-10 |title=Ella McCay review – James L Brooks returns with a sorry mess of a movie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/10/ella-mccay-review-james-l-brooks |access-date=2025-12-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-10 |title=Beloved 'Terms of Endearment' Director Delivers Epic Flop |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/ella-mccay-review-beloved-director-james-l-brooks-delivers-epic-flop/ |access-date=2025-12-10 |website=The Daily Beast |language=en}}</ref>
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’s tale of virtue as its own reward is sufficiently endearing."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minow |first=Nell |title=Ella McCay movie review & film summary (2025) {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ella-mccay-emma-mackay-film-review-2025 |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=RogerEbert.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nayman |first=Adam |date=2025-12-12 |title=Ella McCay review: a sleepy political comedy |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/ella-mccay-sleepy-political-comedy |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=British Film Institute |language=en}}</ref>
The poster inspired an internet meme known as the Ella McCay Challenge, wherein the challenger attempts to mimic the main character's pose. ''Vulture'' claimed the meme was more popular than the movie,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoepfner |first=Fran |date=2025-12-10 |title=The #EllaMcCayChallenge Is Overshadowing Ella McCay |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/ella-mccay-meme-explainer.html |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=Vulture}}</ref> and the reviewer from ''Defector'' stated it inspired her to see the film, summing up her review with "It isn't funny, and it doesn't make any sense."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kelsey |last=McKinney |date=2025-12-15 |title=Everything I Remember About 'Ella McCay' |website=Defector |url=https://defector.com/everything-i-remember-about-ella-mccay |access-date=2025-12-26}}</ref>
In the aftermath of the poor critical and commercial response, co-star Albert Brooks came to its defense and said: "It got clobbered pretty hard for not being about today, or whatever. I liked the movie. I love Jim (Brooks), and I think Jim, in his sleep, is better than 90 percent of people. But it came out in a time when that kind of movie is not playing in theaters. That is what’s playing on streaming, and it’s unfortunate. I read some of the negative reviews to get a sense of what the issues are, and maybe it was that it feels earnest, but I couldn’t really make heads or tails of it. I think it’s right there with what he does so well… You’re allowed to say, ‘We don’t really want something like that.’ But to get violently angry, I didn’t get it."<ref>[https://letterboxd.com/journal/albert-brooks-modern-romance-interview/ Mister Popularity: Albert Brooks on human behavior, (un)likability and Modern Romance]</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title}} * [https://www.ellamccaymovie.me/synopsis/ Official Website]
{{James L. Brooks}} {{Gracie Films}}
Category:2025 comedy-drama films Category:2025 films Category:2025 American films Category:2025 English-language films Category:2020s political comedy-drama films Category:20th Century Studios films Category:American political comedy-drama films Category:English-language political comedy-drama films McCay, Ella Category:Films about American politicians Category:Films about dysfunctional families Category:Films about father–daughter relationships Category:Films about siblings Category:Films directed by James L. Brooks Category:Films produced by James L. Brooks Category:Films produced by Richard Sakai Category:Films scored by Hans Zimmer Category:Films set in the United States Category:Films set in 2008 Category:Films shot in Cleveland Category:Films shot in New Orleans Category:Films shot in Rhode Island Category:Films with screenplays by James L. Brooks Category:Gracie Films films