--- title: "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale" critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 15 reviews: 9 positive, 3 mixed, 3 negative. Most critics are content with this farewell, though few are excited by it. The praise lands in the same places: the film gives each character a parting moment, keeps its stories small and domestic, and looks as expensive as ever in its costumes and photography. Several reviewers enjoy the cameo from Noël Coward, and The Telegraph singles out Michelle Dockery’s arc as Mary. Nearly everyone agrees it delivers what long-time fans want. The reservations cluster around the writing. Even admirers call the storylines thin, disposable and low in stakes, and the harsher notices go further: The Times finds the plot written on autopilot, and The AV Club argues the nostalgia undoes the grit of the series’ early years. The spread is wide, from warm American trade reviews at the top to a cluster of cooler British notices at the bottom, with the Evening Standard finding it plodding and Eye for Film calling it comforting mush. ## Variety — Tomris Laffly Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2025. Writer Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis deliver a heart-swelling conclusion with a profound embrace of the changing times and clever winks at devotees. The film is thoroughly fun, stunning to look at, and aptly emotional as the iconic brand’s swan song, with a strong handle on the end of an era. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-1236509799/) ## Empire — James Dyer Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2025. The film is a cosy and sentimental send-off that delivers exactly what long-time fans expect, with delightful character moments despite disposable storylines and low stakes. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale/) ## The New York Times — Jeannette Catsoulis Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2025. The film delivers exactly what fans want in a lighthearted requiem to the remnants of empire, casting one eye on the future and the other on the past. The director deftly choreographs a series’ worth of brief interactions into a mostly satisfying whole, with standout photography and set pieces. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/movies/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 September 2025. This is a fine send-off that yields a comfortable catharsis by keeping the focus on smaller social and familial dramas while nodding to the era’s changes. Fellowes illustrates what the series has always done best: a social examination of how much things have changed and how they haven’t. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-09-12/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-julian-fellowes-michelle-dockery-hugh-bonneville) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2025. The critic views the film as very silly yet always watchable nonsense that should continue indefinitely. They single out the tongue-in-cheek craziness of the opening sequence and the serious treatment of Lady Mary's divorce scandal for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/03/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-this-silly-enjoyable-nonsense-should-go-on-for-ever) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 September 2025. The critic sees the film as at odds with itself, delivering easy nostalgia and fan service while touching on existential questions of change and purpose. It singles out the luxurious production values, costumes, and performances for praise amid its conservative leanings. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-movie-review.html) ## The Telegraph Rating 3/5. 3 September 2025. The review sees it as a fond but not peak farewell to the franchise that serves up jollity and scandal. It singles out Michelle Dockery's strong arc as Mary for praise while noting the absence of Maggie Smith. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/09/04/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-fond-farewell/) ## The i Paper — Francesca Steele Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2025. The entertaining third film serves as a fitting adieu full of self-referential nods, but the critic feels strongly that it is time for the franchise to end given changing times. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/i-love-downton-abbey-time-to-end-3907496) ## Evening Standard — India Block Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2025. The film is an overstuffed, plodding nostalgia trip that clings to an unrealistic rosy past with heavy-handed messaging about letting go, though Noël Coward’s cameo provides a highlight. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-b1245847.html) ## The AV Club — Anna McKibbin Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 19 September 2025. The critic argues the film is a simplistic love letter to fans that undermines the series' earlier complexity and grit by favoring nostalgia and internal affairs over historical context or unexpected turns. It singles out the overly sentimental handling of generational change and class dynamics for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-love-letter-undermines-ending) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck 3 September 2025. The critic finds the film overstuffed but endearing, providing a fitting closure for fans through its witty script and familiar themes. It singles out the addition of Noel Coward for comedic juice and a standout scene highlighting class friendship. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-julian-fellowes-1236352930/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★☆☆☆. 3 September 2025. The critic finds the familiar plot written on autopilot with nothing left to say, culminating in a saccharine and cynical scene. They single out the kitsch and the focus on minor characters' sex lives for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-fss8mgsb0) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2025. The critic finds this a witty and wise finale that gives each character a fitting moment while marking an elegant, bittersweet end to the series. Direction and script are praised for keeping the ensemble storylines intertwined without feeling rushed or overstuffed. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2025/09/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-1236505277/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2025. The review calls the film a perfectly pleasant send-off that feels most in line with the original series, delivering contained storytelling for fans with familiar characters grappling with modernity. It is seen as pure Downton without the strain of previous films. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review/) ## Collider Rating 7/10. 12 September 2025. The critic finds the film a fun and satisfying sendoff for fans, delivering exactly what audiences want with character nods and light drama. It is described as a fitting conclusion but not the series' best effort. [Read the review](https://collider.com/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review/) ## Digital Spy — Jo Berry Rating 3/5. 3 September 2025. The critic finds the third film an unnecessary sequel that pads a thin plot with familiar upstairs/downstairs elements, but praises the neat tying up of character arcs and the warm, sad-sweet final farewell scene. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a65957914/downton-abbey-3-review/) ## Eye for Film — Andrew Robertson Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2025. The critic finds the film tepid and overly reliant on recursive nostalgia, lacking quality, salt, acid, or heat, offering only comforting mush instead. They single out the fan service and a ghostly moment at the end for praise among the otherwise saccharine proceedings. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-2025-film-review-by-andrew-robertson) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale.md