The Netflix rom-com “My Oxford Year” promises to be a tender, feminist-minded story about a young woman rediscovering her childhood dreams, but it falls short due to poor character construction and narrative twists.
Anna de la Vega (Sofia Carson), a Type A personality with a passion for Victorian poetry, leaves her financial analyst job at Goldman Sachs to study under Professor Styan at Oxford University. Her plans are quickly derailed when she meets Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest), a wealthy local playboy who becomes her love interest.
As the story progresses, Anna’s character is reduced to being a tool for Jamie’s family drama, rather than a central figure in her own journey. The film’s technical craftsmanship earns higher marks, with vibrant montages and an endearing score, but it’s not enough to save the movie from its narrative shortcomings.
Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest elevate the material with their great chemistry, delivering open-hearted performances that bring some much-needed rootability to the story. However, the film’s failure to prioritize Anna’s character development and agency is a missed opportunity for a truly impactful feminist romance.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/my-oxford-year-review-1236476187