#REVIEW: “DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE”

By Mr. Will Wong

An era comes to an end. As The Crawley family enter the 1930s, extravagances dwindle, and with that, they must navigate keeping face and embracing their new reality and future. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is grappling with her new status as a  divorcée and being shunned by her and her family’s peers. Not only this, we have others who may or may not be swooping-in to take advantage of the family in their time of vulnerability.

As the dazzle begins to diminish, Director Simon Curtis really hones-in on what really matters here, family. As The Crawleys face adversity, they do it with grace and must bond together more than ever to overcome public perception, and the real risk of losing everything.

DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE manages to have so much heart to it without treading melodramatic territory. A moment acknowledging beloved Dame Maggie Smith however, is sure to tug on the heartstrings.

The Film explores a moment in time and a changing of the guard where barriers in class and gender norms were definitive, though here we see the rise of mobility and the blurring of those said lines. A fitting and poetic conclusion to a legacied franchise where we feel The Crawleys just be fine on their own terms after the credits roll.

What I’ve always found unique about Downton Abbey is the love and care Julian Fellowes puts into crafting these characters. Characters who are staff and servants serve as much importance as the aristocrats, and we find ourselves invested in their journeys. They are played with pride by this brilliant Ensemble, led by Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Joanne Froggatt, Paul Giamatti, Laura Carmichael, and more.

DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE is the fitting conclusion that fans deserve. Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada release September 12, 2025.