Joy [2024]

May 13, 2026

If it smells like a heartwarming British drama based on actual events and it looks like a heartwarming British drama based on actual events, it surely must be it. Joy is a heartwarming British drama based on actual events following a familiar recipe. You’ve got one main topic and several smaller but equally important all explored in a poignant and intelligent manner. The story follows the efforts of a small team of dedicated nurses, scientists, and doctors to develop IVF (in vitro fertilisation). The focal point of these efforts is Jean Purdy, a young nurse fighting personal battles on several fronts. That’s all I’m going to tell you about the plot as I don’t want to spoil anything.

Unlike some of its American counterparts, Joy is not a Netflix-produced heavy-handed cringe-inducing circle-jerk about disenfranchised people bravely fighting for what’s right. I mean, this is a Netflix production and it is about the struggle but it’s also intelligent, smooth, and engaging. Hell, I’m a 42-year-old guy without kids and I still found the whole movie utterly fascinating. I can only imagine how Joy will move someone who’s had direct experience with this whole thing. Imagine if you were conceived because of this procedure. Wouldn’t you want to know more about it? Now, the thing that fascinated me the most was the timeline.

IVF is such a common procedure nowadays that I thought we adopted much earlier. Once you start watching the movie, it will become clear why that wasn’t the case. And if you’re sensing that all the usual suspects will have something to do with that, you’re onto something. Now, like all heartwarming British dramas based on actual events, Joy does indeed have a slower pacing. To be more precise, it has a steady pace. However, it’s not boring or dull. There are so many thought-provoking subjects here that it’s simply impossible to be bored. Not to mention the authentic setting and excellent cinematography.

Moreover, since the story mostly takes place in the sixties and seventies, you can see just how far we’ve come when it comes to not just science but also the treatment of women, religion, and many other issues. Okay, okay, that was a bit of a stretch, but we did make some progress. It’s utterly infuriating to think that right now, in the year of our lord Satan 2025, we’re facing the same issues. The same fucking issues we’ve been facing for centuries. Fucking tribal system of values is a hard thing to overcome. And I promise I won’t go into one of my rants about it.

I’m also not going to bother you with the cast or the performances. You already know that everyone was great. Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho), Bill Nighy (every fucking British movie ever) and James Norton (Happy Valley) are the leads. Character development was impeccable and authentic. All three of our leads had a great script to work with. So, don’t think we’ll be solely focusing on the development of the IFV as we’ll also be diving deep into the lives of the people persevering on the frontline. When you know that the cause you’re fighting is noble, personal sacrifices are mandatory.

Since Joy is technically a medical drama, I must tell you that there won’t be any gnarly stuff. I guess Dr. Death television show left a mark on me but I would watch it again. Now, that’s a completely different and yet equally competent picture of the medical field. If you’re looking for movies like Joy, I suggest you start with Wicked Little Letters and Scoop. Bank of Dave and The Duke are a just a tad messier but still worth watching.