Downton Abbey: A New Era

Focus Features | Release Date: May 20, 2022

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

FXOMay 23, 2022

Delicious fun, delightfully entertaining and touchingly poignant with a slight nod to "Singin' in the Rain" sans the music.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

BigEggsKitchenMay 22, 2022

Better than it’s predecessor in every single way. Incredibly charming and never boring. One of those movies that helps you escape to a better place

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

TVJerryJun 5, 2022

Writer Julian Fellowes continues the saga of his beloved upper-crust family and their downstairs staff. Of course, time has ushered more changes. First, Maggie Smith's character inherits a villa, so some of the family members travel to theWriter Julian Fellowes continues the saga of his beloved upper-crust family and their downstairs staff. Of course, time has ushered more changes. First, Maggie Smith's character inherits a villa, so some of the family members travel to the South of France to meet the current owners. While they're gone, a production company moves into Downton to shoot a movie. Both of these primary plots play out with slightly absurd developments and every remaining character ends up in a promising relationship. The snappy snobbish attitude prevails, but there are also encounters that tie up loose ends with earnest dialogue. Of course, the costumes and locations are lovely and the cast is back in full gracious force. Anyone into the series will want to follow the saga's continuation for one last taste of this elegant estate and it's inhabitants.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

wadisplaceMay 24, 2022

A very well-made movie. I did not watch Downton Abbey on PBS, so I was sort of Lost as far as the characters were concerned.
But the plot went smooth. It's a very funny, emotional, and at times, sad movie.
I did enjoy it.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

daiveenavaMay 29, 2022

Somehow a better continuation from the series than the first film (specially in some character resolution and better new characters), yet sometimes it feels like rushed in the editing and some characters appear in scene just for the need toSomehow a better continuation from the series than the first film (specially in some character resolution and better new characters), yet sometimes it feels like rushed in the editing and some characters appear in scene just for the need to make presence in the whole movie ark (or in this case, movie arks), signing that it might have worked better as six-ish episode mini series.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

SerengetiMay 30, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is a sheer delight in every way! I loved almost every minute and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. The movie gives us two venues to enjoy the family and their servants: a gorgeous villa in the South of France and Downton Abbey, where Hollywood has come a callin’ with all the glitz, glamor and gaga that goes along with it. A movie is being filmed at Downton, and it is lends a totally delightful layer to the movie. I loved it. Meanwhile, in France, there are tensions at the villa as the family living there has to get used to the idea that they must give it up. If I have one quibble with this wonderful movie, it is the way it ends. I felt it was unnecessary, contrived and just plain awful. But, the rest of it is just fabulous. A must see!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

Stream2BigScreeJun 8, 2022

Well, Streamers, we're a couple weeks late on the new Downton Abbey sequel, which is cleverly titled, Downton Abbey: A New Era. A new era, you say? We shall see about that. When we get these sequels of popular television series, we reallyWell, Streamers, we're a couple weeks late on the new Downton Abbey sequel, which is cleverly titled, Downton Abbey: A New Era. A new era, you say? We shall see about that. When we get these sequels of popular television series, we really want what you love from the series, but also something to justify the price of theater admission. Otherwise, these sequels could just be a TV movie, right? As a Downton Abbey fan, I'm predisposed to enjoy returning to the 1920s English countryside, but is there anything here for the uninitiated? Here's how the new era at the Abbey shakes up.

Do you really need a synopsis? It's more Downton Abbey, for goodness sake. You have tea. You have scandal. You have upstairs and downstairs light drama. There are some quips thrown about, and, of course, the threat of the outside world comes to Downton as well. In particular, the Dowager Countess has inherited, unexpectedly, a French villa from a past acquaintance. Part of the Crawley family heads to the south of France to check out the new vacation spot. The remaining Crawley bunch stay at Downton because a film crew is coming to make a motion picture. Hijinks ensue.

All of the favorites from the series are back, except for Lady Mary's husband. I guess Matthew Goode was busy on some other project to return to Downton. Nevertheless, it seems the family keeps growing in to the late 1920s. The promise of a bright future also always reminds the Crawley family of the impending end of an era. It is a welcome treat to return to the Downton Abbey Universe (DAU...work with me here) as it keeps expanding. The best part is that it feels so familiar. The production values and costumes look great on film. Julian Fellowes has a great grasp of these character and the light tone that has carried throughout the series. Sure, there's drama and scandal, but it all very measured and easy. The general low stakes makes Downton Abbey a fun watch.

The only real issue is that there is such a sprawling cast that the movie can only do so much in 2 hours. The plot splits the cast into two groups, which makes it more manageable, but some characters still get the short end of the stick. As a fan, I could spend more than 2 hours with this series. I'd like for this to have been a 3-hour limited series. That could have been cool. While a non-fan can enjoy this film, I suspect that the size of the cast and brisk pace of the movie may make it difficult to digest without a little background. Nevertheless, there is always something going on, it is edited very well, and the charm and wit will suck you in no matter what.

Ultimately, Downton Abbey: A New Era does everything its fans want it to do. It has that same light energy that was present throughout the tv series and the first film. The Crawley family continues to grow and move through society with aplomb. Charm, wit and a lot of heart abound. Fans have been served well by this sequel. Yes, everyone else can enjoy this sequel, but it clearly has more depth for those predisposed to the DAU. Fans get your big box of popcorn and enjoy, if you haven't already. Everyone else grab a bowl and enjoy a matinee, if you choose.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

Pixel_65Jul 30, 2022

Downton Abbey: A New Era is cinematic escapism at its finest and perhaps that’s all it should be

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

saulutreraMay 20, 2022

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022, Simon Curtis) is everything we fans of the extraordinary ITV series love. It's made to entertain, to make you fall in love, to make you cry a river, but most of all to admire a line up of actresses and actorsDownton Abbey: A New Era (2022, Simon Curtis) is everything we fans of the extraordinary ITV series love. It's made to entertain, to make you fall in love, to make you cry a river, but most of all to admire a line up of actresses and actors who are stunning on screen. John Lunn's best work for this universe. Simply exquisite.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

alicjooooJun 6, 2022

The movie is good and refreshing. I have never seen the tv series before but the plot is easy to understand and the characters are very likable.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews