Nonnas Movie Review: The One That Feels Like a Warm Hug from Your Grandma

Image Source- Netflix

Sometimes, the best movies aren’t the ones with chaos or dramatic twists. They’re the quiet ones, the films that gently ease into your heart, linger there, and leave you feeling real soft and mushy. Nonnas is exactly that kind of movie. I started watching it on a slow evening, expecting a simple food story. But what unfolded was so much more of a tender, soulful experience that felt like someone handing me a warm bowl of soup after a long day.

This movie doesn’t scream out loud. It whispers stories of loss, love, and healing with the kind of subtlety that makes you lean in close. It’s not packed with those over-the-top moments or melodramatic speeches. Instead, it moves like a family dinner at your grandma’s—slow, warm, filled with memories, a pinch of grief, and lots of unwavering love.

Stirred with Love: The Story That Slowly Warms Your Heart (No Spoilers)

The emotional core of Nonnas is Joe Scaravella (played with quiet depth by Vince D.), a man still grappling with the loss of his beloved mother. As he drifts through the familiar streets of Staten Island, the weight of grief leaves him unmoored and disconnected. In an attempt to honor his mother’s memory and perhaps find a way back to himself, Joe decides to open a restaurant. But not just any restaurant. With the help of his old friend Bruno (Joe Manganiello) and Bruno’s wife Stella (Drea De Matteo), Joe sets out to create a place that doesn’t just serve food—it feels like home.

That vision slowly begins to take shape when he finds a group of grandmothers, or nonnas, each willing to share their culture, heart, and heritage through food. These women aren’t professional chefs, but they bring something far more valuable: lived experience and love passed down through generations. Each day, a different nonna steps into the kitchen, serving meals rooted in her homeland and turning the restaurant into a living, breathing tapestry of global traditions.

But all is not smooth sailing. Cultural clashes bubble up in the kitchen as the grandmothers, each set in their own ways, struggle to find common ground. A shared drink, a few heartfelt conversations, and the bond of collective resilience soften the edges, but even then, success doesn’t come easily. The restaurant struggles, and it seems their dream may not take off as planned.

Yet, it is during one final shared meal, prepared not for strangers but for family and friends, that something magical happens. In that moment, they are reminded of why they began this journey in the first place: love, legacy, and the healing power of food.

More than just comfort or flavor, the meals in Nonnas carry memories, emotions, and unspoken stories. Joe doesn’t find healing in a grand epiphany; instead, it arrives quietly, between plates of ravioli, cups of Limoncello, and the steady presence of these women who have lived through loss, love, and everything in between.

A Stellar Cast That Brings Heart and Humor

What truly elevates Nonnas is its incredible cast. The grandmothers- Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro- aren’t just playing characters; they are these women. Their performances feel lived-in, genuine, and heartwarming. They carry the weight of generations with humor, sass, and tenderness.

Vince D. as Joe is perfectly understated. His portrayal doesn’t rely on dramatic outbursts—instead, it captures a quiet, tender kind of grief that feels achingly real. The chemistry between Joe and the grandmothers radiates warmth and familiarity, like sitting around a kitchen table with family.

Unlike many films that lean heavily on romance or dramatic twists, Nonnas respects the slow yet messy process of grieving. It stays grounded and true to life, which is what made it feel like home for me.

Why Nonnas Hits Different

For me, the food in this film is never just food. It’s a metaphor for so much more: memory, culture, and the way love is passed down through generations. Watching these grandmothers cook, sharing pieces of their past, reminded me of my own family dinners and the quiet stories that simmer in the background of everyday life.

Nonnas beautifully shows how grief isn’t a single moment but a collection of small rituals, a recipe passed down, a dish shared, or a tear wiped away in silence. It’s a reminder that healing can come in the smallest acts, like rolling gnocchi or passing the salt across the table.

This is a movie for anyone who’s ever missed someone, for those quiet nights when you want something soft and genuine, and for anyone who understands that sometimes love and loss taste best with a home-cooked meal.

Final Verdict: Stream It or Skip It?

STREAM IT.

Yes, Nonnas is a slow burn, and it’s not for viewers craving twists or dramatic chaos. But if you want a film that hugs you softly with every scene, this one is surely worth your time. It’s unlike those traditional narratives and more about the feeling of finding peace in everyday rituals, sharing meals, remembering loved ones, and letting go slowly.

If you’ve ever grieved someone by cooking their favorite recipe or felt the ache of absence during a quiet meal, Nonnas will speak to you louder than words ever could.

P.S. If slow, soulful stories are your thing…
You might also love Resident Playbook—a heartfelt K-drama about four flawed OBGYN residents learning to heal themselves while caring for others.
👉 Read my full review of Resident Playbook here 

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