📺 Netflix’s latest romcom isn’t your average feel-good film. Starring Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest — who you might recognize as the young King George from Bridgerton — My Oxford Year, based on the 2018 novel of the same name, follows Anna (Carson), an ambitious postgraduate student who decides to put her predestined career on hold to pursue an education in poetry at Oxford University. For Anna, poetry was once her dream, yet the years would see her set it aside for a cookie-cutter corporate path — but not before getting a taste of it for just one year.

The bubble soon bursts. Upon arriving in Oxford, Anna quickly discovers that the city she long idolized isn’t as romantic as she once thought it to be. Her neighbours are dismissive, and a speeding driver in a sports car gives her quite the splash. After running into the driver in a fast food joint, Anna gives him a piece of her mind. Not long after, she begins classes, where she finds out the professor she crossed the pond for has been replaced by none other than affluent, sportscar-driving Jamie (Mylchreest).

A not-so-meet-cute: Naturally, the pair isn’t off to a good start — and Jamie’s attempts to make up for his mishap with a cake doesn’t quite land either. Yet, as time passes, they find themselves brought closer together by their shared love of poetry. Soon, Jamie and Anna begin to fall in love, agreeing to “keep it casual.”

“Do you think things are only meaningful if they last forever?” As our protagonists find themselves falling head over heels for one another, Jamie shockingly begins to withdraw, leaving Anna hurt and confused. Initially believing Jamie was in love with another woman, she finds out that the truth is much more unpleasant. While we will abstain from further details to avoid spoilers, we’ll give you a hint: the movie is produced by the same team behind The Fault in Our Stars.

My Oxford Year is worth your time. Initially giving the impression of a standard Netflix romcom, My Oxford Year throws audiences in for a loop. The film quickly takes a depressing turn, yet does so in a way that does not feel forced. Its IMDB score of 5.9 certainly doesn’t do it justice, and we found the movie an engaging experience with memorable moments, a cozy atmosphere, and great dialogue. At its core, My Oxford Year offers a valuable lesson: dreams must be chased before it's too late. You might, however, want to keep a tissue pack handy.

WHERE TO WATCH: You can stream My Oxford Year on Netflix. Catch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:40).

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