Ariana Grande has officially closed the chapter on her Eternal Sunshine era with the release of her captivating short film, Brighter Days Ahead.
ARIANA GRANDE’S FILM
The 26-minute visual is co-directed by Grande and Christian Breslauer. The film debuted on 28 March 2025, according to Billboard.
This was just hours after the deluxe edition of Ariana Grande album Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead hit streaming platforms.
Packed with emotion, sci-fi twists, and stunning visuals, the film offers fans a heartfelt farewell to this musical era.
THE STORY
The story follows Peaches, Ariana Grande’s character first introduced in the music video for We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).
Now aged 70 — thanks to impressive makeup and effects — Peaches returns to Brighter Days Inc., a futuristic memory-wiping clinic.
This time, however, the clinic has evolved. Instead of erasing memories, it allows patients to relive their happiest moments, according to Collider.
ARIANA GRANDE ON NOSTALGIA
A cheerful spokesperson explains this innovation as Peaches embarks on her journey down memory lane.
In a high-tech room surrounded by massive screens, Peaches revisits cherished memories.
She watches herself as a child singing with her family, including her brother Frankie and real-life father Ed Butera, who also appears in the film.
The nostalgia deepens as she relives her pop star days, performing tracks like Eternal Sunshine and “Dandelion” to adoring fans.
A HAUNTING FILM
The emotional weight of the film grows heavier as Peaches steps into darker memories, according to Uproxx.
While singing Twilight Zone and Supernatural, Ariana Grande navigates the ruins of a home she once shared with an ex.
Outside, an apocalyptic scene unfolds — complete with a UFO that ultimately abducts her.
In one of the most poignant moments, Peaches watches her father stitch her body back together in a Frankenstein-inspired sequence. The sequence is set to the haunting track Hampstead.
LOVE AND LOSS
This scene reveals that her father founded Brighter Days Inc., adding a deeply personal layer to the story.
Ariana Grande described the project as an exploration of “love, loss, growth, and the fleeting nature of memory.”
Speaking about the deluxe album earlier this year, she said: “I thought Eternal Sunshine was a complete work. But over time, I felt there were more stories to tell.”
ARIANA GRANDE’S DELUXE EDITION
The deluxe edition includes six new songs such as Twilight Zone and Warm, which feature prominently in the film.
South African fans will likely appreciate the universal themes of resilience and reflection woven into Brighter Days Ahead.
The film’s futuristic aesthetic and emotional depth resonate across cultures. Its message — cherishing life’s beautiful moments while embracing growth — feels especially poignant.
Critics have praised Grande’s directorial debut for its bold storytelling and cinematic ambition.
BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD
References to films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Frankenstein showcase her creative vision.
With Brighter Days Ahead, Ariana Grande proves once again why she remains one of pop culture’s most innovative artists.
For South African Arianators and global fans alike, this marks not just an end but a promise of brighter days indeed.
WHICH SONG FROM THE DELUXE ALBUM STANDS OUT TO YOU MOST?
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