📺 A restaurant run by professional… Italian grandmothers? Nonnas is Netflix’s latest feel-good family film that will have you shedding a few tears and craving a few Italian dishes. Starring Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella, — an Italian-American New Yorker dealing with the loss of his mother — Nonnas follows Scaravella as he makes the leap into the culinary world, purchasing an abandoned restaurant with his inheritance money with the sole purpose of turning it into an Italian restaurant run by actual Italian grandmothers in an attempt to honor his mother and grandmother’s love for food.

Nothing brings strangers together quite like recipes passed down through generations. When Scaravella makes the leap and buys the restaurant, all he’s missing is the women who’ll be cooking. He proceeds to put forth an ad on craigslist, which pretty much brings in only one willing volunteer — but nevertheless we end up with our four main nonnas: Roberta, Teresa, Gia, and Antonella.

But even nonnas have enemies. Joe Scaravella’s restaurant faces quite a few hurdles — from unfortunate accidents to neighbors that just can’t get used to new company, Nonnas’ culinary flight isn’t a smooth one. Italian nonnas, however, don’t give up so easily.

A much-needed reminder of what truly matters: The importance of family — both of the blood and of the chosen nature — is a hallmark of the film. Nonnas genuinely feels like a cinematic hug, and one that couldn’t have come a second earlier. It’s rare that a Netflix original delivers an emotional punch without lending itself to cheesy tropes, but with Nonnas, the streaming giant does just that.

Some familiar faces, and a few fresh ones. Alongside Vaughn, the cast comprises Thelma & Louise’s Susan Sarandon, Goodfellas’ Lorraine Bracco, and Talia Shire, who returns to the digital screen following a decades-long absence since appearing in both the Rocky and Godfather franchises. The cast effortlessly embodies the roles of elderly Italian “nonnas” — and pretty much confirm how the stereotypical quirks ring true regardless of how different each of them might be.

The best part? Nonnas is real. If the movie leaves that much of an impression on you, — and you happen to have an overflow of frequent flyer miles — you’ll be pleased to know that the film is based on a true story, and that if you ever find yourself near Staten Island, New York, you can try their Capuzzelle for yourself.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can stream the film on Netflix and find the trailer on YouTube (Runtime: 2:24).

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