Movie · 2025 · Romance, Comedy, Drama · 1h 53m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 0.4/10 (373.6K ratings)
One year can change everything.
Overview
An ambitious American fulfilling her dream of studying at Oxford falls for a charming Brit hiding a secret that may upend her perfectly planned life.
Ratings
Curator score: 0.4/10
IMDb: 5.9/10
Letterboxd: 2.27/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
Metacritic: 39
TMDB: 7.0/10
Director
Iain Morris
Production
Temple Hill Entertainment
Cast
Sofia Carson, Corey Mylchreest, Esmé Kingdom, Harry Trevaldwyn, Dougray Scott, Catherine McCormack, Nikhil Parmar, Poppy Gilbert, Romina Cocca, Yadier Fernández, Nia Anisah, Hugh Coles, Barunka O'Shaughnessy, Abdul Sessay, Rebecca Burton, Marty Cruikshank, Barney Harris, Michael Begley, Martin Bishop, Michael Murray
Where to watch
Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A glossy, emotionally manipulative campus romance with a strong premise but thin writing, rushed character work, and a finale that leans harder on sentiment than payoff. The Oxford setting and lead performances give it some charm, but the film seems to frustrate more viewers than it wins over.
Best for
Viewers who want a light, scenic romance set at Oxford
Fans of polished, low-stakes streaming melodrama
People who don’t mind a predictable tearjerker structure
Skip if
You want sharp banter or real romantic chemistry
You’re tired of formulaic prestige-campus romances
You prefer character-driven drama over glossy wish fulfillment
Overview
My Oxford Year has the ingredients of an appealing romance: Oxford backdrops, a charismatic lead pair, and a setup built for yearning. In practice, it plays like a very expensive mood board, with the story moving from beat to beat before the emotions have time to land. The result is handsome but oddly airless.
Worth noting
The biggest issue is that the film seems unsure whether it wants to be a breezy romcom, a literary campus drama, or a serious weepie. That tonal wobble leaves the central relationship undercooked and the supporting material feeling like decoration. Even when the movie reaches for sincerity, it often feels engineered rather than earned.
Bottom line
There are viewers who will respond to the scenery, the softness, and the familiar romance beats, especially if they’re in the mood for an undemanding escape. But for anyone hoping for wit, spark, or a genuinely moving payoff, this one is likely to feel more like a missed opportunity than a satisfying love story.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Ash (2★) · 9278 likes
girl …
we need to have a serious conversation about the state romcoms/ romantic dramas are in right now because i’m EXHAUSTED. where’s the whimsy? where’s the scenes that make me kick my feet and giggle? where’s the character development that makes the big moments pop?? WHERES THE EDITING CLASSES ??
script? surface level. plot? rushed yet slow at the same time. sofia? needs to be told it’s ok not to play every character as this supersonic girl boss.
the… more
jer ☘️ (2★) · 8939 likes
STOP using Chappell Roan in your fucking straight propaganda.
-ˏˋ mak ˊˎ- (1★) · 8778 likes
you’re laughing. sofia carson is being held hostage by netflix and you’re laughing
⇢ @ ˗ˏˋ ꒰ zoé ۶ৎ ꒱ 🦩 ˎˊ˗ (1★) · 4250 likes
kebab mentioned
elio 🎧 (3.5★) · 3572 likes
me before you for those who like poetry and literature