Ella McCay (2025)
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12-month trend
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A fictional politician must navigate the complexities of her new role as governor while grappling with a crumbling marriage and a fractured family.
The story
In 2008, Ella McCay, the lieutenant governor of an unnamed state, is suddenly thrust into the role of governor after her mentor resigns for a federal position. As she attempts to navigate the demands of her new office and pass significant legislation, she faces a burgeoning scandal involving her husband and a threatening reporter. Simultaneously, Ella must confront her estranged father and attempt to help her isolated brother reconnect with his past. Amidst the political pressure of her tenure, Ella must decide how much of her personal life she is willing to sacrifice for her public ambitions.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 2008, Ella McCay becomes governor of an unnamed state after her mentor, Bill Moore, resigns. While trying to pass a bill for new mothers, she faces a blackmail attempt from a reporter regarding her use of a government apartment for trysts with her husband, Ryan. She also deals with her estranged father, Eddie, and her brother, Casey, who is socially isolated. After a public admission of the scandal, her approval ratings rise, but her relationship with Ryan disintegrates when he reveals he bribed the reporter. Ryan eventually publicly blames her for their split. Facing a choice to resign or fight, Ella chooses to run as an independent. She successfully passes several bills but resigns shortly after her inauguration. She eventually starts a non-profit for legal aid, while her brother reconciles with his ex-girlfriend and her husband is arrested for his role in the extortion.
- First release year
- 2025
- Runtime (minutes)
- 115
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- James L. Brooks
- Writers
- James L. Brooks · writer
- Cast and characters
- Emma Mackey · Ella McCay; Jamie Lee Curtis · Helen McCay, Ella and Casey's aunt and Eddie's older sister; Jack Lowden · Ryan Newell, Ella's husband; Kumail Nanjiani · State Trooper Nash, Ella's driver and bodyguard; Ayo Edebiri · Susan, Casey's ex-girlfriend; Spike Fearn · Casey McCay, Ella's younger brother; Rebecca Hall · Claire McCay, Ella and Casey's deceased mother; Albert Brooks · Governor Bill Moore; Woody Harrelson · Eddie McCay, Ella and Casey's father and Helen's younger brother
- Genres
- political comedy-drama
- Themes
- political ambition; family dysfunction; integrity vs. compromise
- Tone and mood
- earnest; dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- political drama; family drama; scandal
- Reception
- The film received unfavorable reviews from American critics and had a poor critical and commercial response, though it gained some attention for a social media meme based on its poster.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 39 · scale: 100 · review count: 36; CinemaScore · score: B- · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The film's poster inspired a social media challenge.; The film was initially intended for a September 2025 release.; The film was released on Disney+ in France in early 2026.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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