Trailer for 'Ella McCay' marks James L. Brooks' return in more than a decade

Oscar-winning filmmaker James L. Brooksis back with his first film in fifteen years.

20th Century Studios shared the first official trailer of the moving tragicomedy Ella McCaywhich marks the return of the acclaimed screenwriter, director and producer to the big screen.

Brooks is the screenwriter, director and producer of films such as Terms of Endearment (1983), Broadcast News (1987), As Good As It Gets (1997), Spanglish (2004). Ella McCay is her first film since How Do You Know? (2010). Brooks won three Oscars for Terms of Endearment, for best director, best film and best adapted screenplay.

The film stars Emma Mackey (Sex Education) as Ella McCay, an idealistic young woman balancing her chaotic family and professional life, in a story about the people you love and how to survive them.

Along with Mackey, the top-notch cast includes Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Spike Fearn (After sun), Julie Kavner (The Simpsons), Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Becky Ann Baker (Girls) y Joey Brooks (Winning Time), con Albert Brooks (Terms of Endearment) y Woody Harrelson (Last Breath) completing the cast.

In the trailer, audiences get their first look at Brooks' signature blend of sharp humor and emotional nuance as Ella (Mackey) navigates the joyful absurdities and heartbreaks of everyday life.

the movie evokes “the golden age of cinematic comedy, the 40s and 50s”, Brooks states in a press release.

And adds:

“The challenge from the beginning was to maintain the same crazy spirit of that time, while still taking seriously the inevitable shocks, pains and difficulties of being human. I was lucky to have a dream cast that interpreted this story about Ella and her family with an energy and spirit that far exceeded what I had imagined.”

The feature film is produced by Brooks, along with Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell, and Jennifer Brooks. The original soundtrack is provided by Hans Zimmer.

20th Century Studios releases it in theaters December 12, 2025. In our region it is called Ella McCay: Imperfectly Perfect.

Trailer: