We read and watched an old school play this week, ‘A Long Days Journey Into Night. I absolutely loved it! It is extremely rare for me, but I knew this one was a 5/5 star when I was only half finished! It is an amazing one day journey into human relationships, behavior and emotions. And, when you throw substance addictions in there, its fascinating to consider the influences on the four family members.
The very latest version of the story opened up on September 25, 2026 and stars Jessica Lange and Ed Harris! (See Trailer below.)
Long Day’s Journey into Night is a play by Eugene O’Neill. It was written in 1941 but published in 1956. It is set in a summer home in Connecticut USA in August 1912. The play follows one long, painful day with the Tyrone family. James, the father, is a famous but stingy actor who gave up his artistic dreams for money. Mary, the mother, is addicted to morphine and cannot face the truth about her son’s illness. Jamie, the older son, is a cynical alcoholic who loves his brother but also wants to hurt him. And finally there is Edmund, the younger son. He is sick with tuberculosis and is the most sensitive member of the family.
Over the course of this single day, the family argues, confesses secrets, and reveals how much they love and hate each other, showing how the past never really goes away. The play is famous for being honest, sad, and autobiographical—O’Neill based it on his own family and did not allow it to be published until 25 years after his death.
🎭 Long Day’s Journey Into Night — Very Brief Facts
- Writer: Eugene O’Neill
- Written: 1941–42; published after his death in 1956.
- Setting: Connecticut, during one day in August 1912.
- Story: The Tyrone family struggles with addiction, illness, alcoholism, regret and family conflict.
- Autobiographical: The family is closely based on O’Neill’s own family.
- Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
🎬 NEW FILM — JUST OPENED
- U.S. opening: September 25, 2026 — limited theatrical release.
- Jessica Lange: Mary Tyrone
- Ed Harris: James Tyrone
- Ben Foster: Jamie
- Colin Morgan: Edmund
- Director: Jonathan Kent
- Lange previously won a Tony Award for playing Mary on Broadway in 2016.
- Where to see it now: Select U.S. movie theaters. In Los Angeles, it is currently playing at the Lumiere Cinema.
- Streaming: No U.S. streaming release has been announced yet.
There are SO many versions of this amazing play over the decades. My favorite is the Katharine Hepburn movie, 1962.