The first trailer for Ella McCay has dropped, giving film lovers—and Rhode Islanders in particular—a glimpse of what could be one of the most anticipated character dramas of the year.
Shot across Providence and other parts of the Ocean State, the movie features a top-shelf cast, some familiar scenery, and all the emotional friction you’d expect from legendary filmmaker James L. Brooks. The film lands in theaters December 12.
A Quiet Trailer, a Loud Story
Brooks doesn’t waste time. The trailer kicks off with a shot of the Rhode Island State House, immediately rooting the film in its real-world backdrop. The tone is tender, sometimes awkward, sometimes bracing. Right in his wheelhouse.
Emma Mackey stars as Ella McCay, a young woman navigating fractured family ties and inherited responsibility. She doesn’t say much at first—until she does. And then it hits.
Jamie Lee Curtis plays Aunt Helen, delivering one of the trailer’s most biting lines: “I’m about to add to your problems, Ella. Your father’s here.”
Ella’s response? Just one word. “Why?”
It’s tight writing, and the chemistry is already obvious—even in a two-minute teaser.
Cast That’s Built for Tension (and Laughs)
James L. Brooks doesn’t cast lightly, and this ensemble reflects that. Each actor brings something distinct, even in brief glimpses. There’s gravitas, comedy, and sharp emotional contrast. And somehow it works.
Let’s run it down:
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Emma Mackey takes the lead as Ella. Known for Sex Education and Emily, she’s poised and raw all at once.
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Jamie Lee Curtis plays Helen McCay, Ella’s aunt, with a mix of love and danger.
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Woody Harrelson as Eddie, Ella’s complicated father. Unpredictable. Maybe uninvited.
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Julie Kavner, instantly recognizable to fans of The Simpsons, narrates the film in a voice that will feel oddly familiar to millions. She also plays Ella’s assistant.
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Kumail Nanjiani shows up in uniform—Ella’s state police driver. Whether he’s comic relief or something more remains to be seen.
Others in the cast include Albert Brooks, Jack Lowden, Ayo Edebiri, and Spike Fearn, who rounds out the McCay siblings.
Rhode Island’s Moment on the Big Screen
This isn’t a fly-by production. Rhode Island gets real screen time. Not just background filler, either. Landmarks matter in Ella McCay.
There’s a sweeping shot of the Rhode Island State House, its dome gleaming in late afternoon light. Side streets in Providence buzz with campaign posters and quiet tension. A small-town diner, unassuming and slightly worn, hosts one of the trailer’s more intimate exchanges.
Brooks’ choice to film in Rhode Island wasn’t just aesthetic. There’s a tone here—a rhythm—that fits the story. And it shows.
At one point in the trailer, a state trooper (Nanjiani) says something simple: “People are watching.” It’s a throwaway line—except it’s not. That’s the kind of low-key tension that lingers.
A Bittersweet Family Comedy—or Something Else?
The trailer doesn’t reveal much. That’s intentional. Brooks isn’t here to spoon-feed.
But it does hint. Family tension pulses beneath every exchange. Ella looks like she’s trying to hold something together—herself, a job, a campaign maybe. It’s not totally clear. But everyone around her keeps pulling her in different directions.
One second, her aunt is teaching her to scream—a cathartic, full-throated howl. The next, she’s bracing for another appearance from her estranged father. And then there’s her brother, Spike Fearn, caught somewhere in between. The trailer doesn’t over-explain. It lets things simmer.
That restraint may be what sets Ella McCay apart.
Who’s Behind It—and Why That Matters
James L. Brooks hasn’t released a feature since How Do You Know back in 2010. Fourteen years later, he’s back. And he’s still writing about what he knows best: families that love hard, fight harder, and keep going.
This isn’t a studio algorithm flick. Brooks wrote, directed, and co-produced this through Gracie Films, his longtime banner. The film is distributed by Twentieth Century Studios, which gives it some weight in a holiday season usually dominated by franchise fare.
Let’s not forget: Brooks is the guy behind Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, As Good as It Gets. He helped launch The Simpsons. That voice hasn’t disappeared. It’s just gotten quieter—and more precise.
Here’s a quick look at the core creative force behind the film:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | James L. Brooks |
| Writer | James L. Brooks |
| Production Company | Gracie Films |
| Distributor | Twentieth Century Studios |
| Lead Cast | Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson |
| Narrator | Julie Kavner |
Emma Mackey, the Anchor
Mackey is no stranger to nuance. Her breakout roles have all leaned on subtle facial expressions, clipped dialogue, and emotional sharpness.
In Ella McCay, she seems to carry the emotional weight of nearly every scene. Whether that’s good for Ella remains to be seen.
One standout line in the trailer—uttered quietly—is simply: “I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel.”
It lands. And it might stick with audiences all the way to December.
Brooks’ Return Could Be Just What Theaters Need
There’s something about a James L. Brooks film in a holiday slot that feels… right. Nostalgic, maybe. But not old-fashioned.
With the flood of CGI-heavy, IP-driven films lately, a sharp-tongued family drama anchored in character and dialogue could cut through the noise. It won’t break box office records. But it might just stick with people longer.
And that’s kind of the point.
