MOVIE TITLE: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

This period drama was released in theaters September 12, 2025.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 2 hours 3 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B+

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

Downton Abbey: The Complete Series: https://amzn.to/4nuD76l

IN A NUTSHELL:

We get to see what our favorite British family has been up to in this final addition to the franchise that has been popular since 2011!

The finale was directed by Simon Curtis. Writing credits go to Julian Fellowes.

The film is a well balanced tribute, offering an emotional farewell for fans.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Lots of alcohol
We see an unmarried couple in bed together.
We see a few woman changing their clothes.
Talk of intimate relations
Talk of the death of a loved one

THEMES:

Evolution of the eras
Aristocracy and their servants
Divorce
Financial troubles
Hypocrisy
Greed
The passing of the baton in leadership

THINGS I LIKED:

It’s so much fun to see the beloved cast all together again, including Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Penelope Wilton, and so many more!
Sadly missing from the movie is fan favorite Dame Maggie Smith. The film was dedicated to her memory. A short montage is shown of her, as well as a painting of her on the wall inside Downton Abbey. Of course, the characters mention her often because she was the matron of the family that could never be forgotten. As the scandals begin to fly, we hear comments such as, “Granny would not have approved.”
The characters are so well defined that we love them all from the wealthy family to the servants of the household.
I adore Paul Giamatti and loved seeing him in this. He’s one of the new characters, in addition to one brought to us by Joely Richardson.
Joanne Froggatt was pregnant in real life, so she wrote her own story line in the film and wanted her character to be pregnant too.
For true fans who have loved the franchise from the very beginning, there are several call-backs to comments made in Season 1.
I loved seeing everyone dressed up in tuxedos and gowns in the first scene while they went to the theater to see a stage production. Isn’t it a shame that so few of us do that anymore?
Wow, that scenery at the 41-minute mark! Gorgeous landscapes of green! The skilled cinematographer, Ben Smithard, did an outstanding job.
While there is some humor, I sure missed Granny’s biting sarcasm.
The film isn’t going to win any awards but is brimming with nostalgia and closure. It’s comfort food for those who have loved the show for years. There is a lot of talk of ending a chapter and beginning a new one, helping to ease fans into a world without any more episodes.
The montage at the end will make you sob like a baby. I’m not kidding.
Keep watching during the final rolling credits to see short clips of what happens to characters next. So sweet.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

If you haven’t seen any of the previous TV show seasons or movies, I admit you’ll be a bit lost and won’t enjoy it nearly as much as the fans who invested years in the franchise. Sorry about that!
Because this movie doesn’t exactly offer groundbreaking plot twists, some might complain that it’s just another money grab. Fans definitely won’t see it that way though.

FUNNY LINES:

“Golly!” – Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery)
“It’s my fault. It’s like putting a drunk in charge of the bar.” – Cora Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern)
“This isn’t Russia, Mr. Mosley, and we’re not the Bolsheviks.” – Mr. Carson (Jim Carter)
“Should wives have secrets from their husbands?” – Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) “Definitely. But not the other way around.” – Anna (Joanne Froggatt)

INTERESTING LINES:

“The writers are the real stars of cinema!” – Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle)
“You know the system doesn’t work if we hold on too long.” – Tom Branson (Allen Leech)
“Long live Downton Abbey.” – Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery)
““Families like ours must keep moving to survive.” – Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery)
“The hereditary system can’t afford to be sentimental.” – Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery)
“Convention makes cowards of us all.” – Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton)
“I think we all depend on each other, Milady, the way people should.” – Anna (Joanne Froggatt)