Netflix’s upcoming 2025 biographical comedy-drama, Nonnas, is receiving accolades from critics far and wide. Helmed by director Stephen Chbosky and scripted by Liz Maccie, Nonnas tells the heartwarming tale of Jody ‘Joe’ Scaravella, a real-life figure whose personal journey inspired him to establish Enoteca Maria in Staten Island.
The film, with Vince Vaughn portraying Scaravella, charts the Italian-American MTA worker’s leap into the culinary world as he opens a New York City restaurant dedicated to his late mother. The unique hook? He hires genuine grandmothers, or ‘nonnas’ in Italian, to serve up time-honoured family recipes as head chefs.
Enoteca Maria continues to thrive, regularly welcoming an international array of nonnas who share their cherished home-cooked meals each week, reports the Mirror US.
Boasting a top-notch ensemble including Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Linda Cardellini, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire, and Joe Manganiello, Nonnas has earned an impressive 82 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and a feast of glowing critiques.
One reviewer raved: “Nonnas is mouth-watering entertainment,” while another hailed it as “a flat out feel good movie”. Another critic praised: “Such a pleasant well-made movie that will make you hungry while you watch it.” Another reviewer hailed the Chbosky-helmed picture as: “A warm, wise and wonderful delight that will nourish your heart, mind and soul. It’s the cinematic equivalent of comfort food.”
In a candid chat with ScreenRant, Vince Vaughn shared his personal connection to the film, revealing: “I was raised with my granny in the house with me, and so I really loved that this was a real place and a true story. I’d never heard of the restaurant, but Joe created a place where he brought Italian grandmothers to be the cooks to make the recipes that were their family, recipes that they used to feed their family and to celebrate life. I thought that was such an interesting idea and such a great send-up to these ladies and this culture.”
The film’s heartfelt narrative of family ties has resonated deeply with viewers, prompting one to express: “As an Italian man that grew up in the kitchen with my nonna and mother this movie had me bawling in the first 10 minutes because I can’t cook with them anymore. To watch this movie hit me especially hard because I wish I had their recipes to have that taste of home and the warmth that comes with it. Either way, fantastic movie I fully recommend.”
Echoing the sentiment, another viewer praised the film, saying: “Absolutely heartwarming. Nonnas is a beautiful celebration of love, family, and tradition with amazing performances that feel completely genuine. I haven’t seen a movie this touching since Steel Magnolias. A true gem, a must see!”.
Another viewer was left feeling peckish after the film’s 1 hour 51 minutes runtime, commenting: “Made me hungry. Heartwarming movie that isn’t overly sentimental. Vince Vaughn is the stable center.”
Meanwhile, a different fan shared their unexpected delight: “I watched this on a whim and was totally sucked in. In this nasty crazy world we currently live in, a get in you in all the feels movie is just what the doctor ordered. Great cast, moving story, now if they could just figure out how to add smell to a television this movie would have us all on our way to Staten Island. Spend 2 hours with the Nonnas, you won’t regret it.”
Nonnas is available to stream on Netflix