Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Review: A Very Satisfying Ending To A Beloved Franchise

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In “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale“, Julian Fellowes skillfully navigates a clever plot twist. As we catch up with the Crawley family and their staff in 1930, the world is grappling with significant historical events – fresh off the New York Stock Exchange crash in 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression. Despite the potential for grave hardships for the Earl of Grantham and his kin, Fellowes masterfully maintains an authentic yet optimistic and lively tone that has been a hallmark of “Downton Abbey” for 16 years.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Title Date: September 12, 2025

Film Director: Simon Curtis
Screenplay By: Julian Fellowes
Main Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Elizabeth McGovern, Paul Giamatti, Dominic West, Simon Russell Beale, Laura Carmichael, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, and Joanne Froggatt
Rating: PG (Containing suggestive content, smoking scenes, and some mature themes)
Duration: 124 minutes (2 hours & 4 minutes)

While it seems we’ve bid farewell to Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern), along with other beloved Downton Abbey characters for the fourth time, “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” offers a fitting closure. A fresh batch of Crawleys are poised to lead and steer through the uncertainties that the United Kingdom and its aristocracy will encounter in the coming decades of the 20th Century.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is first and foremost a goodbye.

In the story of Downton Abbey, each goodbye – whether in the series finale in 2015, or in the movies Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) – has been heartwarming, but this one truly feels like a final farewell. Over the years, we’ve grown incredibly close to these characters, so saying goodbye was always going to be a mix of happiness and sadness. Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis weave a fresh narrative while tying up nearly every character’s storyline in a satisfying manner. Once again, the creators have skillfully brought this off.

Just like in previous films from this series, breathtaking aerial shots of Downton Abbey harmonize with John Lunn’s memorable theme tune, taking us to a familiar and cherished location. In this last movie, the music strikes an emotional chord, seamlessly reflecting the bittersweet mood of the storyline.

The world is changing, and Downton must change with it to keep pace.

In “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,” England is swiftly progressing into the 1930s, and so are the lives of the Crawley family. More than a quarter-century has passed since the end of the Victorian Era, and the country has seen World War I and its aftermath. A new Labour government in Parliament brings about sweeping changes that will ultimately prove disastrous for the British aristocracy. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and the younger generation must now adapt to these changing times and guide their family through the uncertain future.

The film starts off by showcasing the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of London’s West End, illuminated by neon lights – quite different from the early setting of Downton Abbey, established in 1912, well before the Crawley mansion was equipped with electricity or a telephone. Lady Mary is teetering on the brink of divorce, an action that, as portrayed in the movie, has yet to be fully accepted by society. Keep in mind, this happens only a few years prior to King Edward VIII stepping down from his throne due to his relationship with a divorced woman. This film captures the turbulent intersection of the old and new eras.

In Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the tension between Lord Grantham adapting to the future and preserving his family’s legacy (while confronting their past) is central. Can they maintain tradition amidst rapid changes that seem determined to uproot them? This conflict is most evident here. Maintaining Downton Abbey and their London residence becomes increasingly unaffordable, and the fear of disappointing generations of Crawleys looms large. The stern gaze of the late Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith’s character, who we said goodbye to in Downton Abbey: A New Era) seems to judge everything from her portrait in the entrance hall of Downton, a constant reminder of the expectations placed upon them.

Downton Abbey: A New Era Is Exactly What We’ve Come To Expect From The Franchise.

Ultimately, “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” is what fans have longed for and anticipated from this series. It’s pleasingly predictable yet engaging, captivating viewers right from the start. This film doesn’t aim to provoke or challenge its audience, but rather provides a delightful experience. There is an appropriate level of tension that propels the story, without ever making viewers feel uneasy. As expected, the settings are sumptuous and visually stunning, offering a feast for the eyes, while allowing us a glimpse into lifestyles, both upstairs and downstairs, that many of us rarely encounter.

The ensemble is outstanding, featuring Paul Giamatti reprising his role as Lady Crawley’s troubled brother, Harold Levinson, making his comeback to the series since Season 4 of the TV show. Previous cast members such as Dominic West portraying Guy Dexter are back, and for the first time, Simon Russell Beale joins them as Sir Hector Moreland, a haughty aristocrat who clashes with Isobel Grey, played by Penelope Wilton, a situation that is typically unfavorable for characters within this franchise.

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit it was a bittersweet moment to realize that some beloved characters were missing from the latest Downton Abbey film, particularly Lady Maud, played by the incredible Imelda Staunton, and her daughter Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton), who Tom Branson (Allen Leech) mentioned but did not appear.

However, I was pleased to see that all our other cherished characters like Carson (Jim Carter), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), Anna (Joanne Froggatt), and the rest received a fitting farewell in the end. The filmmakers managed to give us a proper closure for these beloved characters, which made the overall experience even more enjoyable.

Farewell to the franchise we’ve known, and farewell to our friends from the Edwardian era. Yet, there remains optimism about the future, with hopes that the family and their beloved employees continue to thrive.

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2025-09-09 00:39