My Oxford Year (2025) – Review, Plot & Reflections on Love, Loss, and Legacy

Netflix’s My Oxford Year, directed by Iain Morris and adapted by Allison Burnett and Melissa Osborne from Julia Whelan’s bestselling novel, is more than just a romantic comedy-drama—it’s a heartfelt exploration of love, ambition, and mortality. Starring Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest, the film delicately balances witty charm with emotional depth, leaving audiences both enchanted and heartbroken.

Plot Summary

The story follows Anna De La Vega (Sofia Carson), an ambitious American student who defers a lucrative job offer at Goldman Sachs to spend a year at Oxford University, pursuing her passion for Victorian poetry.

On her first day, Anna collides with the infuriatingly charming Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest)—literally, as his sports car splashes her. Their initial rivalry soon sparks into romance, but what begins as a lighthearted Oxford love story deepens into something much more profound.

As Anna and Jamie grow closer, she discovers that he is hiding a devastating secret: a genetic cancer diagnosis that claimed his brother Eddie’s life and now threatens his own. Refusing further treatment, Jamie is determined to live life on his own terms, even as Anna fights to stay by his side.

Their love is tested through misunderstandings, family tensions, and the haunting knowledge of Jamie’s mortality. Ultimately, Anna must face the heartbreaking reality of loving someone whose time is limited. The film ends with Jamie’s quiet passing in Anna’s arms, followed by a poignant epilogue where Anna, now a teacher at Oxford, carries forward his legacy while fulfilling her own journey of discovery.

Themes and Tone

At its heart, My Oxford Year is a story about:

• Love and Loss – How fleeting love can leave an everlasting impact.

• Ambition vs. Heart – Anna must choose between a secure future in New York and the messy, beautiful present with Jamie.

• Legacy and Memory – Even in death, Jamie’s influence shapes Anna’s life choices.

Though it begins with the feel of a traditional romantic comedy (pub banter, Oxford boat races, and flirty rivalries), the film transforms into an emotional drama that grapples with illness, grief, and resilience.

Performances

• Sofia Carson shines as Anna, balancing wide-eyed ambition with vulnerability, delivering a performance that grows more nuanced as the film darkens.

• Corey Mylchreest brings charisma and fragility to Jamie, embodying both his Oxford wit and the quiet despair of a man racing against time.

• Dougray Scott and Catherine McCormack, as Jamie’s estranged parents, add emotional weight to the family subplot, particularly in the tender scenes of reconciliation.

The chemistry between Carson and Mylchreest drives the film, elevating its romance from formulaic to devastatingly human.

Review

My Oxford Year succeeds because it refuses to be just one thing. It’s a romantic comedy in its playful first act, a coming-of-age drama as Anna grows through love and loss, and a tearful romance that will resonate with fans of Me Before You and Love Story.

The pacing occasionally stumbles—balancing Oxford’s whimsical traditions with the gravity of terminal illness isn’t always seamless—but the emotional payoff is undeniable. The cinematography by Remi Adefarasin captures Oxford’s dreamlike beauty, while the intimate editing by Victoria Boydell and Kristina Hetherington ensures the focus stays on character-driven storytelling.

Final Thoughts

My Oxford Year is more than a romance; it’s a meditation on seizing life, even in its impermanence. Anna’s journey reminds us that love, however brief, can be transformative—and that sometimes the hardest choices are the most meaningful.

With heartfelt performances, tender writing, and a devastatingly beautiful ending, My Oxford Year leaves audiences reflecting not just on Anna and Jamie’s story, but on their own.

Verdict: ★★★★☆ – A touching, bittersweet love story that will leave you reaching for tissues and cherishing every fleeting moment.