The trending film has caught some viewers off-guard
*Warning: Contains major spoilers for My Oxford Year*
A new romantic comedy on Netflix has left viewers calling for a trigger warning over a dark twist in the storyline.
My Oxford Year released on the platform on August 1 and it has already shot to the top of the streamer’s most-watched films list.
The film follows American student Anna (Sofia Carson) who takes on a year-long poetry course at Oxford University. While she comes to the prestigious institution with a fixed plan, it is quickly derailed by teaching assistant Jamie (Corey Mylchreest) who changes the course of her life forever.
Despite being billed as a tear-jerker on Netflix, as well as bearing a warning for an “illness theme”, some viewers have been caught off-guard by how the story unravels.
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It emerges during the film that Jamie, who has tried to avoid becoming seriously committed to Anna, is behaving that way because he has terminal cancer. He has also refused to carry on with treatment despite the objections of his family.
Eventually the pair realise they can’t hide from their undeniable connection and they carry on their relationship. In a heart-wrenching finale, after being struck with a severe case of pneumonia, Anna sits with Jamie and they talk about the future during his final moments.
A montage plays out that shows the pair travelling the world together, but it is then revealed that this is just Anna’s fantasy and she is experiencing Amsterdam, Greece, Paris and Venice entirely alone. Meanwhile Jamie has passed away beside her in the bed.
The devastating scene has prompted complaints from viewers who had no idea about the cancer element of the story.
“This was so sad. If I had known I wouldn’t have watched it,” shared one upset viewer, as a second said: “Just finished watching this and didn’t quite realise what the plot was. Enjoyable film – but have tissues at the ready!”
An emotional post from a third viewer read: “Netflix, this is a lovely film but I was a bit ambushed by it. I’ve got cancer and was looking for a nice bit of escapism only to find the complete opposite with this film. This happened only the other week with another of your films with similar content.
“I appreciate why it wasn’t in the synopsis for the film but do you think you could look into trigger filters.”
My Oxford Year was based on a novel of the same name by Julia Whelan, with the film written by Allison Burnett (Autumn in New York) and Melissa Osborne. Meanwhile The Inbetweeners writer Iain Morris was on board as director.
Leading lady Carson, who also executive produced the film, explained why Morris’ comedic brain was so important for the story. She told Netflix’s Tudum: “Iain Morris created one of the most iconic pieces of British television, The Inbetweeners.
“You simply cannot have a British romance without iconic British humor. Iain’s vision of this film brought to life a sweeping, heartbreaking romance that is simultaneously grounded in laughter. In one scene, you can fall in love, have your heart broken, cry, and laugh — all in the same breath.”
My Oxford Year is now streaming on Netflix
