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
