Ella McCay sees the titular lead as a Lt Governor of the State, played by Emma Mackey (Hot Milk), become the youngest woman in her office to have a shot at going for Governor, given that the current incumbent, Bill (Albert Brooks – no relation to the director, James L Brooks), resigning in order to take up a post in the Presidential cabinet.
However, she’s not a very popular individual, but then what politician is? It also doesn’t help that a newspaper hack is trying to find a way to smear her, too.
Realising that “You can’t be popular AND fix anything”, this is mostly a series of relationship issues going on behind the scenes, since she’s married to Ryan (Jack Lowden – The Outrun) – who does something stupid later on, she moves out and in with her aunt, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis – Freakier Friday); and her Dad, Eddie (Woody Harrelson – Now You See Me 3: Now You Don’t) – who she hasn’t seen in 13 years, is a philanderer.
Ella McCay is like four different plots thrown into one movie, and none of them is interesting, and I’ve put the last one behind a spoiler header, although it happens early on:
- 1. Ella’s marriage
2. Moving in with Aunt Helen
3. Her brother, Casey (Spike Fearn – Alien Romulus), getting a job, and having Susan (Ayo Edebiri – After The Hunt) as his girlfriend
4.
Overall, this film is just a big ball of nothing, and a complete waste of two hours. How the hell did it cost $35m to make? No wonder that it’s only taken $4m at the box-office, making if a “box-office bomb”.
And the only points of note about it are: (a) it’s made by Gracie Films, best known for The Simpsons (the ident with ‘SSSH!’ at the start), and (b) working in Ella’s office is Julie Kavner, as her secretary, and the film’s narrator. Ms Kavner is best known as the voice of Marge Simpson.
NOTE: There are no mid- nor post-credits scenes.
Ella McCay is in cinemas now, but isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD. However, once announced, it will appear on the New DVD Blu-ray 3D and 4K releases UK list.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 115 minutes
Release date: December 12th 2025
Studio: 20th Century Studios
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Cinema: Odeon Trafford Centre
Rating: 0/10 (cue Marge’s gnashing of teeth sound)
Director: James L Brooks
Producers: Julie Ansell, James L Brooks, Richard Sakai, Jennifer Simchowitz
Screenplay: James L Brooks
Music: Hans Zimmer
Cast:
Ella McCay: Emma Mackey
Helen: Jamie Lee Curtis
Governor Bill: Albert Brooks
Casey McCay: Spike Fearn
Eddie McCay: Woody Harrelson
Claire McCay: Rebecca Hall
Susan: Ayo Edebiri
Trooper Nash: Kumail Nanjiani
Ryan: Jack Lowden
Estelle: Julie Kavner
Trooper Alexander: Joey Brooks
Olympia (voice): Tracey Ullman
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.