Ella McCay

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2:24

Ella McCay

PG-13

2025

1h 55m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

23%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

57%

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250+ Verified Ratings

"Ella McCay" is a new comedy written and directed by Oscar® and Emmy Award® winner James L. Brooks ("As Good as It Gets," "Terms of Endearment," "Broadcast News," "The Simpsons") about the complicated politics that arise when a young woman's stressful career clashes with her chaotic family life.

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Critics Consensus

Well-intentioned but woefully undisciplined, James L. Brooks' comedy about a woman trying to have it all is so tonally misjudged that it winds up with not much of anything to recommend.

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Audience Says

It’s hard to stay disenchanted with Ella McCay, the woman, but as a film, it’s earnest and dated approach sabotages the seed of true rebellion it plants, which never fully blooms.

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Peter Debruge

Variety

Jan 15

Brooks’ best quality as a writer is the way he wears his heart on his sleeve, writing characters who do the same. But there’s a clunkiness here that suggests test screenings or studio notes cost the movie key exposition.

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Maxwell Rabb

Chicago Reader

Dec 29

It’s bewildering to watch, as the characters oscillate between various emotions and motivations, making it impossible to track what is going on.

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Jonathan Romney

Financial Times

Dec 16

1/5

This is a woolly, self-congratulatory fossil of a film, nostalgic for an imaginary past in US politics when an idealist’s only real obstacle was the jadedness of an older generation.

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Paul Emmanuel Enicola

The Movie Buff

Jan 16

D

Watching "Ella McCay" feels like being handed several potentially interesting movies at once and being asked to pretend they form a coherent whole.

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Erik Childress

Movie Madness Podcast

Jan 9

3.5/4

Despite what you may have heard, James L. Brooks doesn’t miss and has crafted another funny, witty and lovely film anchored by Emma Mackey’s terrific performance. Ignore the hate and enjoy.

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Brian Lowry

Status News

Jan 8

4/10

With its mostly half-baked ideas and lifeless elements, about all “Ella McCay” will do -- except perhaps for Brooks completists -- is make people feel dumb for parting with money to see a movie that’s barely worth finding the time to stream.

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MELISSA E

Jan 9

I could’ve waited to watch this on television. It was cute but not great.

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Tyler

Jan 8

Ella McCay is a fun little romp through the life of a fictional governor whose problems seem all too real.

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Meg M

Jan 7

Acting was ok … plot bizarre

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Anita

Jan 6

I enjoyed it very much

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Carol M

Jan 5

Slow, very little comedy, I have never walked out on a movie until this one.

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Margaret M

Jan 4

I enjoyed the movie. There was witty dialogue and some thought provoking moments too.

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James L. Brooks

Director

Emma Mackey

Ella McCay

Jamie Lee Curtis

Helen McCay

Woody Harrelson

Eddie McCay

Albert Brooks

Actor

Jack Lowden

Actor

Ella McCay: Extended Preview

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Ella McCay: Movie Clip - That Must Be Very Frustrating

1:10

Ella McCay: Movie Clip - Break the Ice

0:49

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Ella McCay: Featurette - First Look

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Ella McCay: Trailer - Breakthroughs

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Ella McCay: Trailer - Family

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Synopsis

"Ella McCay" is a new comedy written and directed by Oscar® and Emmy Award® winner James L. Brooks ("As Good as It Gets," "Terms of Endearment," "Broadcast News," "The Simpsons") about the complicated politics that arise when a young woman's stressful career clashes with her chaotic family life.

Director: James L. Brooks
Producer: James L. Brooks, Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell, Jennifer Simchowitz
Screenwriter: James L. Brooks
Distributor: 20th Century Studios
Production Co: 20th Century Studios, Gracie Films
Rating: PG-13 (Strong Language|Some Sexual Material|Drug Content)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 2025, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 27, 2026
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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