Kate Winslet surprises as director and protagonist in “Goodbye, June”, the new Netflix family drama

The directorial debut of Kate Winslet in Goodbye, June was presented with a sharp look at grief, reconciliation and family ties in a Christmas atmosphere. Winslet herself led the cast and brought the story to the platform Netflix on December 24, 2025. “It is a story about family, not just about death,” he said. Joe—Winslet’s son and screenwriter of the film—, according to The Commerce in their coverage of the premiere.

Set just before Christmas, the film focused on four siblings whose lives were turned upside down after their mother’s worsening health. The official Netflix synopsis detailed that, given the matriarch’s deterioration, “the lives of four siblings—and their infuriating father—take an unexpected turn as a result of the sudden deterioration in their mother’s health. While everyone deals with the complicated family dynamics that generate a possible loss, June, with her inexhaustible wit, takes control of her own farewell with biting humor, unfiltered truths and a lot of love.”

The script, signed by Joe Alfie Winslet Mendes – inspired by the family’s personal experience and the dynamics that arise in the face of loss – structured a story in which the hospital became a setting for the confrontation of tensions, guilt and affection. “I love them all infinitely. But I love them twice as much when they all love each other,” remarked the character of June, played by Helen Mirren.

The film showed Winslet’s character Julia absorbed by the demands of her job; to Molly—Andrea Riseborough—who accumulated reproaches; to Connor —Johnny Flynn—, marked by his role as caregiver; and Helen —Toni Collette—, going through a late pregnancy and holding spiritual beliefs in the midst of the tense climate.

The acting team brought together high-profile figures in cinema. Helen Mirren joined the cast as June, Kate Winslet took on the character of Julia, Toni Collette played Helen, Andrea Riseborough played Molly and Johnny Flynn played Connor. Alongside them, Timothy Spall, Stephen Merchant and Fisayo Akinade occupied supporting roles.

Goodbye, June reached a duration of 114 minutes (1 hour and 54 minutes) according to official production information. Principal photography began on March 17, 2025 in the united kingdomunder the umbrella of the production company 55 Jugglers and with the active participation of Winslet and Kate Solomon as producers.

The premiere in select cinemas in the UK and US December 12, 2025 preceded its arrival on the streaming platform. With her first behind-the-scenes performance, Winslet opted to present an intimate drama, guided by “humor, honesty and love,” according to the service’s description, to explore the multiple ways in which a family faces grief and the possibility of reconciliation.