Netflix has just dropped a brand new original movie that's perfect for anyone looking for a little bit of Christmas catharsis, and it was directed by none other than Kate Winslet herself. The film in question? "Goodbye June," a distinctly British festive feature that stands out from the rest of the streaming service's seasonal output.
See, instead of dropping one last Hallmark-adjacent holiday romance or another Christmas caper akin to "Jingle Bell Heist," the streamer has served up a poignant drama about a family on the brink of losing a loved one in the weeks running up to Christmas Day.
Sure, it's a more somber set-up than, say, the upbeat antics of something like "Elf," but this is still a feel-good drama that's definitely worth a look. If you're keen to squeeze in one extra Christmas movie among the festivities, I'd urge you to stream "Goodbye June" on Netflix — read on to find out why.
What is 'Goodbye June' about?
“Goodbye June” takes place just before Christmas and sees one family’s life thrown off-kilter when their mother, June (Helen Mirren), has an unexpected turn in her health. That thrusts her four children and their exasperating father into chaos, forcing everyone to try and navigate their difficult, messy family dynamic and try to get along, all in the face of potential loss. Amid the chaos, quick-witted June orchestrates her own decline in her own way.
In addition to Helen Mirren, “Goodbye June” also stars Kate Winslet, Timothy Spall, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Stephen Merchant, Fisayo Akinade, Jeremy Swift and Raza Jaffrey.
'Goodbye June' is a tender, moving Christmas watch with real heart
"Goodbye June" is a character-driven family drama, and even if the characters themselves are a little thinly-sketched, it is nevertheless effective as a snapshot of grief and the disarray that comes with it. Chiefly, that's down to the performances.
With a cast list quite so stacked, you'd expect strong turns, and you won't be disappointed by the work on display. Kate Winslet and Andrea Riseborough, for example, are great as a pair of at-odds sisters, whilst Johnny Flynn impressed me as Connor, who wrestles with a quieter grief and has some moving moments with their father, and I'd be remiss not to mention the warmth from Akinade or how Mirren's June, a strong point of gravity, shepherds her own decline.
It isn't particularly flashy, but nevertheless handsomely put together, and if anything, I think that spareness works. There are still some interesting decisions to note, too; immersive point-of-view shots or the use of light to signal warmth and festive cheer in one particularly evocative moment late in the film.
It's sentimental in a way that doubtless won't play well for everyone, and may not have received the warmest reception from some critics, but as a writer who is definitely susceptible to this brand of cozy, occasionally saccharine affair — see, for example, my affection for 2024's "Joy - The Birth of IVF" — I'm definitely keen to recommend "Goodbye June."
Simply put, Kate Winslet's directorial debut is a warm-hearted, sincere, and sometimes very funny, festive slice of festive viewing that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who might enjoy it, too.
"Goodbye June" is now streaming on Netflix
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