So, you’ve probably seen the trailer or scrolled past the thumbnail on Netflix and thought, "Wait, is that a Sopranos reunion?" Kinda. Honestly, the cast of Nonnas 2025 is one of those rare lineups that feels like a fever dream for anyone who grew up watching HBO or classic 70s cinema. It’s not just a bunch of actors thrown together for a paycheck; it’s a heavyweight assembly of Italian-American royalty.
The movie, which hit Netflix on May 9, 2025, is directed by Stephen Chbosky. You might know him from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. He took the true story of Joe Scaravella—the guy who started the famous Enoteca Maria on Staten Island—and turned it into a dramedy about grief, pasta, and the terrifying power of a grandmother with a wooden spoon.
Who is in the Cast of Nonnas 2025?
Vince Vaughn leads the pack as Joe Scaravella. It's a bit of a departure for him. He isn't playing the fast-talking "wedding crasher" type we’re used to. Instead, he’s an MTA worker who loses his mom and realizes his life is basically a dead end. To "feed his grief," he decides to open a restaurant where the chefs are just local grandmothers.
But the real magic happens when the nonnas show up.
The four main chefs are played by:
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- Lorraine Bracco (Roberta): Most people know her as Dr. Melfi from The Sopranos or Karen Hill from Goodfellas. Here, she’s the sharp-tongued Sicilian best friend of Joe’s late mother.
- Susan Sarandon (Gia): She plays the mother’s former hairdresser. Sarandon brings that classic effortless cool to the kitchen, but don't let the "hairdresser" title fool you—her character is a beast with pastries.
- Talia Shire (Teresa): Yes, Adrian from Rocky and Connie Corleone from The Godfather. She plays a retired nun who finds a new calling in Joe’s kitchen.
- Brenda Vaccaro (Antonella): A powerhouse from the Midnight Cowboy era. At 85, she’s the oldest of the group and arguably the funniest.
That Sopranos Connection Everyone Is Talking About
If you felt a pang of nostalgia watching this, it’s because the cast of Nonnas 2025 is basically a Jersey mob reunion without the hits.
Besides Lorraine Bracco, we’ve got Drea de Matteo playing Stella. You remember her as Adriana La Cerva. In this flick, she’s married to Joe’s best friend, Bruno.
Then there’s Michael Rispoli as Al, a street vendor. Rispoli was Jackie Aprile in The Sopranos, the guy who was almost Tony Soprano before James Gandolfini got the part. Even the minor roles are stacked. Jimmy Smagula, who plays Mr. Pionconne, was a "wise guy" in the HBO series. It’s like Chbosky went through the Silvercup Studios archives and just invited everyone over for dinner.
The Supporting Players and Cameos
Joe Manganiello plays Bruno, Joe’s contractor best friend. Manganiello, who actually got his Italian citizenship in real life back in 2022, looks like he’s having the time of his life. He and Vaughn actually spent time at the real Enoteca Maria on Staten Island to prep. They ate with the real Joe and the real Bruno.
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Linda Cardellini pops up as Olivia. She’s Joe’s high school crush and the person who sort of grounds him when the kitchen chaos gets too high.
Other Notable Cast Members:
- Campbell Scott: He plays Edward Durant, a stuffy newspaper food critic. It’s a meta-nod for film nerds because Scott co-directed Big Night, which is the gold standard for Italian food movies.
- Richie Moriarty: He’s Dan McClane, Joe’s corporate boss who thinks the restaurant idea is a midlife crisis.
- Tammy Pescatelli: The stand-up comedian plays "Cousin Tammy."
- Theodore Helm: He plays the young version of Joe in the flashback scenes.
Why This Specific Cast Works
Most Hollywood movies about food feel fake. You see an actor "chopping" an onion and you know they've never held a knife in their life. But with the cast of Nonnas 2025, there’s a grit to it.
The chemistry between Bracco and Vaccaro is peak "neighborhood energy." There’s a scene where they get into a food fight because one is from Sicily and the other is from Bologna. It’s hilarious because it feels lived-in. These aren't just "grandma archetypes"; they’re women with histories and secrets.
Director Stephen Chbosky mentioned in interviews that landing these four women was like "asking God for a favor" and actually getting a yes. You have hundreds of years of acting experience in one kitchen.
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The Real Story Behind the Script
It’s worth mentioning that while the movie is a comedy, the source material is deeply personal. Jody Scaravella (the real Joe) really did lose his mother and grandmother and decided that the only way to keep their memory alive was to let other nonnas cook.
The real restaurant still exists. It’s called Enoteca Maria. They even have a "Nonnas of the World" program now where grandmothers from places like Sri Lanka, Argentina, and Kazakhstan come in to cook. The movie focuses mostly on the Italian roots, but the heart of the story—that food is a language for grief—is 100% real.
Is It Worth the Watch?
Look, if you want a gritty crime drama, this isn't it. But if you want to see Susan Sarandon and Talia Shire bond over limoncello and talk about their regrets, you’re going to love it. It’s comfort food. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a Sunday dinner where everyone is shouting but you know there’s love there.
The cast of Nonnas 2025 manages to avoid the "corny" trap that a lot of Netflix comedies fall into. They keep it grounded.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Visit the Real Spot: If you're in New York, Enoteca Maria is in St. George, Staten Island. You should probably book way in advance because the movie has made it even more popular.
- Check the Recipes: Jody Scaravella released a book called Nonna's House. If the movie makes you hungry, that’s where the actual instructions are.
- The Soundtrack: Keep an ear out for the score by Marcelo Zarvos. It’s got that old-school Italian-American vibe that fits the Jersey/Staten Island setting perfectly.
This movie isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It's just trying to remind you that it's never too late to start over, whether you're a grieving MTA worker or a 70-year-old grandmother who’s tired of cooking for just herself. The cast of Nonnas 2025 delivers exactly what the title promises: a lot of heart and a really good meal.