Oscar‑winning actor Kate Winslet has stepped into the director’s chair for the first time with Goodbye June, a heartfelt family Christmas drama now streaming on Netflix.
The film marks a major creative milestone for Winslet, who also produced and stars in the project alongside a stellar ensemble cast that includes Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough and Timothy Spall.
Goodbye June centers on four adult siblings who reunite over the holiday season when their mother’s health suddenly declines.
The story blends emotional depth with moments of warmth and humor as the family navigates grief, reconciliation and the messy beauty of human connection.
The screenplay was written by Winslet’s son Joe Anders, making the project a deeply personal family collaboration.
Winslet has described the experience of directing and producing the film as “extraordinary,” saying the story’s themes resonated with her own life and creative journey.
Critics have been divided on the film — some praising its emotional performances and festive atmosphere, others finding its sentimentality heavy at times — but many agree that Winslet’s transition to directing shows her skill behind the camera.
Goodbye June had a limited theatrical run before its Netflix debut and is generating conversation as a touching seasonal entry that highlights Winslet’s new role as a filmmaker.
