Critics Have Seen Netflix’s Goodbye June, And They Say People Will Be ‘Weeping Into Their Eggnog’

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Kate Winslet is famous for her performances in popular films like Titanic, The Reader, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Now, she’s making her directorial debut with the 2025 Christmas drama, Goodbye June. Written by her son, Joe Anders, the film will be released on Netflix on December 24th. Early reviews suggest the movie is a moving story, boosted by a strong cast.

Helen Mirren stars as the mother in Goodbye June, with Timothy Spall playing her husband and Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, and Kate Winslet as their four children. The film follows the family as they spend the holidays with their mother who is nearing the end of her life. Helen O’Hara from Empire gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising it as a powerful first film from the director and noting its ability to portray the complex feelings that come with losing someone you love.

Okay, so Kate Winslet’s son, Joe Anders, wrote the screenplay, and honestly, for a first try, it’s really good. He really gets the weird way grief can hit you – it’s sad, funny, and sometimes just makes you angry. There were a couple of moments that felt a little obvious – like, did the incredibly kind nurse really need to be called Angel? – but honestly, the cast is so strong, it didn’t even matter. Everyone was on top of their game for Kate’s debut as a coach, and you can tell she really knew how to get the best out of them.

According to Caryn James from The Hollywood Reporter, the new Netflix film occasionally feels overly sentimental, but the strong cast makes it enjoyable. Kate Winslet appears to have a knack for directing, and her son demonstrates talent, though his work could benefit from more originality in the future.

I was really struck by how real Anders made his characters and their conversations feel. However, the story itself felt a bit predictable. It hit a lot of familiar beats – you know, family arguments, characters turning out to be good people despite first impressions, and moments clearly designed to make you feel something. A couple of characters also felt a little forced, like they were just there to add some variety. Despite that, the film is beautifully made and the actors are fantastic; they really elevate even the most predictable scenes, making it a truly lovely experience.

In a review for the Associated Press, Lindsey Bahr gave Goodbye June a rating of 2.5 out of 4 stars. She praised Kate Winslet’s direct approach to directing, noting it fit the film’s overall feel. Bahr found the movie largely successful, with moments of beauty, humor, and thoughtful observation, despite a few odd decisions.

Compared to many of the Christmas movies on Netflix – which often focus on fantasy, romance, and secret identities, and don’t aim for high quality – “Goodbye June” is a surprisingly well-made, though somewhat predictable, drama about family and loss, featuring a strong cast. While stories about terminal illness, estranged siblings, and hospital settings might not be ideal holiday viewing for everyone, you likely already know if this type of film appeals to you.

In a review for RogerEbert.com, Peyton Robinson notes that Kate Winslet’s direction lets her actors carry the film, rather than imposing a strong directorial style. Robinson believes this is a good thing, given that the story itself is predictable and unremarkable, and the talented cast doesn’t quite fit the material. He adds that…

While the emotional core of Goodbye June is one of its strengths, it also holds the film back. It often feels overly sentimental, walking a fine line between touching and contrived. This sweetness permeates even the funny and sincere moments, especially the witty lines delivered by Spall. However, the film shines when it focuses on individual relationships – a particularly moving scene between Riseborough and Winslet demonstrates its potential – rather than relying on broad, melodramatic tropes.

In a review for Variety, Guy Lodge felt that even the talented Helen Mirren and the rest of the cast couldn’t overcome the movie’s overly sentimental and somewhat superficial story. He noted the script didn’t feel authentic and that, unusually, none of the actors seemed to be at their best.

The film aims for a heartwarming story about family conflicts and connections, hoping to evoke emotion during the holiday season – a change of pace from lighter Netflix offerings. However, it falls short because it doesn’t fully develop its characters, leaving them feeling disconnected and unfulfilled.

Reviewers seem optimistic about Kate Winslet’s potential as a director. While some praised the script by Joe Anders, others feel she should direct a project that isn’t a student film. With a strong cast and a potentially tear-jerking holiday story, Goodbye June—arriving on Netflix Wednesday, December 24—is likely to appeal to many movie fans.

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2025-12-22 23:39