Reviews
Eephus (2025)
At first glance, Eephus may seem like a modest, small-town baseball film. But beneath its unassuming surface lies a poignant message on aging, nostalgia, and the quiet beauty of recreational sports. What begins as a straightforward story subtly transforms into a powerful metaphor and one that will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever found meaning in the camaraderie of team sports.
Set in a fading Massachusetts town, Eephus follows two amateur baseball teams preparing for one final game before their beloved ballpark is torn down to make way for an art school. The players, mostly older adults long past their athletic prime, cling to the game not just out of habit, but as a last grasp at community and the fleeting glory they can experience.
The film marks the directorial debut of Carson Lund, previously known for his cinematography on Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point (2024). Despite the low profile of its cast, with Keith William Richards (Uncut Gems) being the only widely recognizable face, Eephus thrives on intimate, character-driven storytelling. The understated performances only enhance the film’s authenticity and relatability.
The title, a reference to the rare and almost whimsical baseball pitch known as the “Eephus,” is telling. It’s a pitch so slow and unexpected that it seems to hang in the air, disorienting the batter before slipping past. Lund’s film channels that exact same feeling throughout with time, seeming to pause, before ultimately passing the players by before they realised what’s gone. In this way, Eephus captures something profound, not just about baseball, but about life itself.
What makes Eephus so infectious is its refusal to follow the typical sports movie formula. There’s no central protagonist, no melodrama, and no contrived twists. Instead, the film takes its time with each character, allowing us to sit with them as they navigate the full spectrum of emotions during what might be their final game. The result is a deeply human portrait of ordinary people confronting endings with humor, vulnerability, and heart.
The film unfolds at a meandering pace that may not appeal to everyone, some might even find it boring at times. But that’s part of its magic. Eephus is faithful to real life, where meaning often emerges slowly. The quiet lulls and sudden bursts of intensity feel just like a baseball game, with the characters reflecting the emotional rhythms of the sport. These shifts are captured with subtlety, care, and an honest affection for the game.
As the game reaches its final moments, Eephus delivers what I believe is one of the most memorable scenes in any sports film. Neither team wants to settle for a draw, and as the field fades into near-total darkness, the weight of the moment sets in. For many of these players, this isn’t just the end of a game, it’s the final chapter of their sporting lives. Without giving anything away, I was genuinely moved to tears by how it all unfolded. It’s a masterful conclusion that perfectly encapsulates the film’s core messaging.
For those willing to give Eephus a chance, the reward is not just one of the best sports films of the decade, but perhaps one of the finest films of 2025.
