Need a Movie That Feels Like Home? Read Our Review of Nonnas

If you are searching for that one film that wraps itself around you like a warm embrace, Nonnas is it. Released on Netflix on May 9, 2025, and directed by Stephen Chbosky, this movie is the kind that makes you pause, smile, and remember.

Nonnas has a lovely plot co-written by Jody Scaravella and Liz Maccie, Nonnas does more than tell a story; it offers a seat at a table filled with love, tradition, and the kind of food that feels like it was cooked just for you.

It is unlike anything I have ever reviewed. This is a film you can sit down with your entire family and truly enjoy. It carries the weight of deep moral lessons, delivered by a cast that made sure every scene left an imprint.

The performances from Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Manganiello, and more, were not just performances, they were lived experiences shown through the screen.

Premise

Nonnas tells the story of Joe, played by Vince Vaughn, a New York MTA worker mourning the death of his mother. The film opens with young Joe, played by Theodore Helm, watching his mother and grandmother cook together in a kitchen glowing with soft, golden light. That moment becomes a cornerstone memory. As they prepare a feast, Joe tastes his Nonna’s Sunday gravy, a dish that would later inspire his dream of opening a restaurant.

Back to the present, Joe loses his mother. After the funeral, while people return to their lives, Joe remains surrounded by the memories of his mother and his nonna. The grief settles in, not just through silence, but through the taste of dishes cooked with love. He realises that food is love. That simple truth becomes the emotional centre of this story.

Encouraged by his best friend Bruno (Joe Manganiello) and Bruno’s wife Stella (Drea de Matteo), Joe uses his mother’s insurance money to start something new. Contrary to Bruno’s advice, Joe decides to open a restaurant, not just any restaurant, but one led by Nonnas, Italian grandmothers. Enoteca Maria, named in honour of his family, becomes a haven of tradition and taste.

Joe finds his chefs in the most unexpected places. There’s Roberta (Lorraine Bracco), his mother’s sharp-tongued friend from Bologna. Teresa (Talia Shire), a gentle former nun. Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro), the fiery Sicilian with a bold spirit. Then there’s Gia (Susan Sarandon), a fashionable hairdresser who never had children of her own. Each woman brings a rich personal history and a new heartbeat to the restaurant’s kitchen.

At first, the restaurant struggles. On opening day, a storm keeps customers away. Days pass. Weeks follow, yet not a single guest. Joe, weighed down by bills and doubt, prepares to shut it all down. But before closing the doors for good, he invites the public to one last free feast.

And just when you think it is all over, the story leaves you wondering if that kitchen might ever come alive again.

Cast and Performances

Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella

Delivers an unexpected performance in the best way. We are used to seeing him crack jokes, but here, he dives deep. His portrayal was raw and beautiful. There was a tenderness in his delivery that made Joe feel completely real.

Lorraine Bracco as Roberta

She is one unforgettable nonna. Feisty, bold, and always pushing her fellow Nonnas to keep going, she brought humor, heartache, and strength to every scene. You could see her past, feel her pain, and admire her will to keep giving.

Susan Sarandon as Gia

Although she was not an actual nonna, Gia was an absolute delight. The grandmother without grandchildren, the woman who chose independence and ambition. Her character challenges the idea of what a Nonna is supposed to be. She is soft and fierce, elegant and grounded. Susan delivered a performance that felt incredibly true to life.

Brenda Vaccaro’s Antonella

As the hot-headed Sicilian you would expect, yet so much more. She was strong, loud, and wildly expressive, but underneath that toughness was a heart that wanted connection. Her banter with Roberta was comic gold, but when they eventually bonded, it was tender and real.

Talia Shire as Teresa

her role is probably the most quietly moving one. A former nun, lesbian, and woman searching for meaning beyond the confines of a convent. Her story arc was a courageous, gentle rebellion. Talia played her with grace, dignity, and honesty.

Linda Cardellini as Olivia

Offers exactly what Joe’s world needed. She added balance and calm to his chaotic life. Her presence in the story was grounding, and her contribution to the success of Enoteca Maria cannot be overstated. Linda’s portrayal added another layer of warmth to the film.

What I Liked About Nonnas

What stood out most for me was the fact that Nonnas is based on a true story. The real-life Scaravella created Enoteca Maria as a tribute to the women in his life, and that truth gave the entire film an extra layer of depth.

Nonnas is one of those rare movies that blends comedy, culture, and emotion in equal measure. The humor never overshadows the heart. The cast is phenomenal, every single Nonna adds her own unique charm. The dialogue is rich with wit, soul, and a touch of chaos that makes it feel all the more authentic.

The cinematography is absolutely stunning. You could practically smell the sauce and feel the steam from the pots. Watching Nonnas makes you want to pack a bag and fly to Italy just to sit down at a similar table.

Even if you are not Italian, the themes here are deeply relatable. Love, loss, legacy, family, resilience, and finding your way after grief.

What I Didn’t Like About Nonnas

The only thing I truly disliked was that I did not watch it sooner. It came to me like a casual recommendation, and I did not expect much from it. But I was wrong.

This is one of Netflix’s most beautiful releases and it is heartbreaking how little hype it got. A film this good deserves more visibility.

Verdict

If you watch only one Netflix movie this year, let it be Nonnas. We are not even halfway through 2025 and I am already convinced this is my top film of the year.

I pressed play with no idea what I was walking into, and now I wish I could watch it again for the first time. Every part of it felt honest and close. Vince Vaughn took a true story and honored it with warmth and depth. The women who played the Nonnas completely stole the show. I cried, I laughed, and I felt like I was part of their kitchen. You have to see it to understand the beauty of it. Nonnas is more than a film; it is a celebration of food, of memory, and of the unbreakable bond between generations.