Ella McCay is hitting theaters this weekend, and it’s already getting a lot of attention because the largely less-than-positive reviews from critics.

Here’s a synopsis: “An idealistic young woman juggles her family and work life in a comedy about the people you love and how to survive them.”

The cast includes Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Fearn, Rebecca Hall, Julie Kavner, Becky Ann Baker, Joey Brooks with Albert Brooks and Woody Harrelson.

Critics are already weighing in with their thoughts about the film.

Keep reading to find out more…

Ella McCay currently has a 22% Rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Wall Street Journal says: “Ella McCay is not quotable. It is not believable. It is not likable. It’s not even digestible. For an ordinary filmmaker, it would be merely a disaster. For James L. Brooks, it’s more like a tragedy.”

The New York Times says: “Ella McCay is a bizarre movie that would have worked better if it went all-in as an homage to another era. Since we won’t get to see that version, you’ll just have to buckle up and enjoy the very strange ride.”

The Associated Press gave it 1 out of 4, and says: “It’s hard to understand how Ella McCay, the first original feature from writer-director Brooks in 15 years, goes so utterly haywire. Is this really the same mind that wrote the memorable Broadcast News? Terms of Endearment? As Good As It Gets?”

IndieWire gives it a B, writing: “Watching Ella McCay can sometimes feel like time travel, particularly for those vested in bygone eras of American filmmaking, but if you’re capable of tuning into its wavelength, an old but worthwhile spirit can be found.”

Variety says: “Everything about Ella McCay feels outdated…there’s a clunkiness here that suggests test screenings or studio notes cost the movie key exposition (establishing why Ryan’s a liability, for example, or explaining the cringey dynamic between Ella and her driver).”

The Guardian gave it 2 out of 5, writing: “Ella McCay is, first and foremost, a mess — a clunky collection of incoherent characters and confounding plot that seem to defy basic story logic at every turn, and not in a surprising or intriguing way.”

Emma Mackey made a rare red carpet appearance with her boyfriend for the movie!