When audiences logged into Netflix expecting My Oxford Year to be a breezy college romance sprinkled with British charm, they were in for an emotional ambush. What began as a lighthearted romantic comedy featuring Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest quickly descended into emotional chaos, leaving viewers reaching for tissues instead of popcorn.
Adapted from Julia Whelan’s novel of the same name, My Oxford Year opens like every Gen Z dream rom-com—an ambitious American girl meets a charming British boy in the hallowed halls of Oxford. But as the story progresses, a terrible turn of events pierces the romantic comedy bubble, breaking expectations and hearts alike.
A Love Story That Took a Sharp Left
The twist in My Oxford Year hits hard and unexpectedly, and it’s this very shift from breezy to brutally real that has left fans so emotionally shaken. Viewers who assumed they were getting into a “cute campus romance” have been reacting in spades on social media, particularly X (previously Twitter), only to be taken aback by its devastating undertones.
One emotional viewer posted,
“I wasn’t ready to bawl my eyes out like this, but #MyOxfordYear made me sob so many times. Sofia and Corey were such a perfect match. This movie is already a classic in my book.”
Another wrote,
“Well, sorry to burst the bubble of innocent people like me who thought this would be just another college extra-fluff romcom… I feel like jumping off a cliff right now.”
I really thought I was going to see the best romantic comedy of the year, but they decided to give me the most heartbreaking movie of the year :”) #MyOxfordYear pic.twitter.com/sAjiMYFlsY
— dani ✮ (@lynchbeaufort) August 2, 2025
Performance Praise Amid the Tears
Many people are enjoying the performances in spite of the emotional roller coaster. Sofia Carson, already known for her emotionally resonant roles, is being applauded for carrying the movie with vulnerability and warmth. Corey Mylchreest, best known for Queen Charlotte, brings a layered tenderness to his role that perfectly balances Sofia’s intensity.
A fan tweeted,
“This movie was beautiful. Sofia and Corey did a really great job, and it was hard to take your eyes off the screen, but the ending broke my heart.”
Another remarked,
“They said it was a romcom, but the only comedy part was us being fooled that it might end well. Still worth the pain.”
“we were never forever, jamie and i. nothing is in this life. but if you love someone, and are loved by someone, you might find forever after. whatever and wherever that is” 😭😭 #myoxfordyear pic.twitter.com/53Q1pigkZR
— kara (@juIiancarstairs) August 2, 2025
Saiyaara to the Rescue?
The emotionally drenched My Oxford Year found a thematic twin across the globe in the Bollywood hit Saiyaara. The film, directed by Mohit Suri and starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, also treads into tragic love territory. However, unlike its Netflix counterpart, Saiyaara offers viewers a cathartic release with its happy ending.
Saiyaara restores your faith in love, albeit after putting you through emotional acrobatics, whereas My Oxford Year leaves you gripping your pillow and doubting your destiny. Several fans online jokingly declared Saiyaara as “the emotional CPR they needed” after Oxford.
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Not Just a Tearjerker—But a Talk-Starter
What makes My Oxford Year memorable isn’t just its twist, but how it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about time, love, loss, and what we do with the moments we’re given. As one viewer summed up, “Just because something is temporary doesn’t mean it isn’t meaningful. That’s the chaotic part of life… and those are the best parts.”
Maybe that’s the real magic of a story like this—it starts as a rom-com but leaves you reflecting on life itself.
