Nonnas is a reminder that charm, good casting, and a touch of sincerity can elevate a standard script into something enjoyable, if not exactly essential. It’s not destined for rewatchability or critical acclaim, but for a streaming comedy in 2025, that’s probably enough.
‘Nonnas’ Movie Review
Vince Vaughn brings his familiar everyman charm to Nonnas (2025), a light, feel-good Netflix Original that sits comfortably above the streamer’s typical output without ever fully escaping its formulaic bounds. Directed by Stephen Chbosky, Nonnas isn’t especially memorable or groundbreaking, but it’s sincere, competent, and occasionally funny—a modest success by the current standards of Netflix’s original film lineup.
Vaughn plays Joe, a blue-collar worker stuck in a rut following the recent loss of his mother. Struggling with grief and feeling the weight of unfulfilled ambition, Joe decides to pour what little he has into opening an Italian restaurant. The twist? The kitchen is staffed entirely by nonnas—Italian grandmothers—each bringing their own heritage, recipes, and culinary philosophies to the table. What follows is a clash of traditions, cultures, and strong personalities, as Joe discovers that managing a restaurant full of stubborn, opinionated chefs is far more difficult than he imagined.
There’s not much in Nonnas that reinvents the wheel, but the film knows its strengths. Vaughn carries the emotional and comedic core with ease, grounding the story with his likability and subtle vulnerability. His chemistry with the ensemble cast of grandmothers is where the movie really finds its heart. Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Susan Sarandon lend the nonnas an authenticity and screen presence that elevate what could’ve easily been caricatures into characters that feel lived-in—albeit still within the broad strokes of a crowd-pleasing script.
The comedic banter between the nonnas, shaped by generational clashes and cultural pride, feels warm and organic, even if some of the jokes land a bit too softly. The film leans into its sitcom-like setup with a comforting rhythm: moments of light drama, food-prep montages, and resolution through heartfelt conversations around the dinner table. There’s nothing particularly ambitious about it, but it also doesn’t try to be more than it is.
Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Wonder) directs Nonnas with a steady, unassuming hand. There’s a clear understanding of tone here—never too saccharine, never too heavy. That restraint works in the film’s favor, even if it also keeps it from reaching for anything more daring. The result is a movie that plays it safe but lands right where it aims: somewhere comfortably in the middle.
Nonnas is a small win for Netflix in a year when their film slate hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. It’s easy to imagine this film disappearing into the algorithm, never to be watched again, but for its runtime, it feels earnest and mildly rewarding. It won’t change your opinion of Netflix Originals, and it certainly won’t redefine Vince Vaughn’s late-career resurgence, but it delivers enough warmth and wit to pass the test of a casual weekend watch.
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Ultimately, Nonnas is a reminder that charm, good casting, and a touch of sincerity can elevate a standard script into something enjoyable, if not exactly essential. It’s not destined for rewatchability or critical acclaim, but for a streaming comedy in 2025, that’s probably enough.
Score: 6/10
Nonnas (2025)
- Cast: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Susan Sarandon, Linda Cardellini, Brenda Vaccaro
- Director: Stephen Chbosky
- Genre: Comedy
- Runtime: 114 minutes
- Rated: PG
- Release Date: May 9, 2025
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