Goodbye June review: Kate Winslet’s directorial debut is schmaltzy but affecting

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

2025 has seen several well-known actors try their hand at directing feature films for the first time. Following Harris Dickinson, Kristen Stewart, and Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet is now making her directorial debut.

Kate Winslet’s first time directing a film is ‘Goodbye June,’ a moving Christmas drama that will be in theaters for a limited time this week before streaming on Netflix on Christmas Eve. As you’d expect from such a respected filmmaker, she’s gathered a fantastic group of actors including Helen Mirren, Timothy Spall, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, and Johnny Flynn, and she’s also starring in the film herself.

The drama’s script was written by Kate Winslet’s son, Joe Anders, who was only 19 when he started it as part of a screenwriting class. It’s understandable that people might question whether he got the opportunity because of his mother, and the script occasionally feels a bit rough around the edges – the beginning is slow, and it sometimes gets overly sentimental. However, the film also has some truly touching moments, showing a surprising emotional depth, particularly towards the end, which suggests Anders has real potential.

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The story’s emotional core is a major strength. The film centers on four siblings – played by Kate Winslet, Marion Riseborough, Toni Collette, and Jessica Flynn – who reconnect when their mother (Helen Mirren) falls seriously ill. As they prepare to say goodbye, they’re forced to confront their complicated relationships and work through long-held differences, with little hope she’ll survive until Christmas.

Many viewers will likely connect with the film’s portrayal of dealing with loss during the usually cheerful holiday season, and both Anders and Winslet handle this delicate balance with sensitivity. While the film has a festive feel and some funny scenes, its generally sad story makes its release so close to Christmas a bit unusual – it might not be the most uplifting choice for Christmas Eve viewing.

Overall, the film effectively portrays a challenging family relationship. The connections between the siblings and their emotionally unavailable father (Spall) feel realistic, though it doesn’t reach the same emotional depth as another recent Netflix film on a similar theme, His Three Daughters.

The film isn’t perfect, particularly with its attempts at humor. Winslet and Anders sometimes struggle to find the right mix of emotion and comedy. This is most noticeable with Collette’s character, who feels like she belongs in a different movie – a somewhat exaggerated hippie who enjoys interpretive dance. However, Steven Merchant delivers a charming and effective comedic performance as a kind, but clumsy, husband.

Overall, this is a moving and well-acted film. The talented cast helps overcome some predictable plot points. Helen Mirren is, as expected, outstanding in the lead role, portraying a character who is both hopeful and realistic about her situation, while also hinting at lingering sadness and dreams left unfulfilled.

While Kate Winslet’s directorial debut, Goodbye June, might not immediately establish her as a groundbreaking director – her style is more practical than flashy – it’s still a good film with some truly memorable scenes, and is likely to be quite emotionally affecting for many viewers.

The film Goodbye June will be shown in some UK cinemas starting December 12th, and will be available to stream on Netflix from December 24th.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about movies for TopMob, covering both theatrical releases and streaming options. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time, he’s interviewed many famous actors and reviewed a wide variety of films.

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2025-12-11 20:40