Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) Movie Review

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) Movie Review

One of the most enduring, and referenced rom coms of all time, as to be the ‘Bridget Jones’ series. Based on the popular book series by popular author Helen Fielding, the Bridget Jones series has connected with audiences around the globe, with the franchise grossing nearly $900 million worldwide, across four films.  The series is known for the way it addresses the trials and tribulations of dating in the modern world, whilst also providing a comedic outlook on some of the crazier scenarios and situations that can come up.

The fourth and most likely final instalment in the franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ arrived on Valentines Day 2025. The film was met with an overwhelming positive reception, holding an impressive 88% approval rating with critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 75% audience rating. The film once again stars Renée Zellweger in the titular role of Bridget Jones. Set several years after the events of Bridget Jones's Baby, the film finds Bridget navigating life as a widowed single mother to her two children, Billy and Mabel, following the tragic death of her husband, Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth). As she re-enters the world of work and dating, Bridget is torn between two new romantic interests: a charming younger man named Roxster (Leo Woodall) and her son’s thoughtful science teacher, Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). With her signature blend of awkward charm and resilience, Bridget juggles parenting, career ambitions, and the chaos of modern romance, all while leaning on her loyal circle of friends—and even her ex, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) for support. As someone who has been a consistent fan of the franchise over t’s lifespan, I am happy to report, that ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ may be the best in the franchise since the original back in 2001.

This sequel blends heartfelt moments of grief and growth with the humour and warmth fans have come to love, offering a fresh yet familiar chapter in Bridget’s ever-evolving story. It tackles the themes of grief and moving on, after the death of a loved one, in a very human, and tasteful way. The film never plays-up the emotions of the situation and rather treats them in a delicate and tasteful manner, that will leave you feeling satisfied and contempt with how they wrap up Bridget’s story. It’s sweet without ever being manipulative and sappy. I was surprised with the depth, as it isn’t something we would normally get from a rom-com, especially one from a long running series.

The cast here are all fantastic, with Zellweger proving to be as likeable as always as Bridget, showcasing her wonderful range. The supporting cast do a lot here for the film as well, with Chiwetel Ejiofor’s likeable turn as Mr. Wallaker, returning to the rom-com genre, after a memorable turn in 2003’s Love Actually. Hugh Grant also delivers a scene stealing performance once again as Daniel Cleaver. He settles into a different role here, not being Bridget’s love interest but rather a friend, a constant in her chaotic life that she can depend on. He continues his hot streak with films like Heretic and Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves . He steals every scene he’s in, reminding audiences why we love him so much! The cast all come together here so well, proving to be one of the best ensembles the franchise has bought together to date. Leaving the best to last.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ was a wonderful surprise. The film is emotionally poignant, and charming. The return of Hugh Grant worked wonders, with him stealing every scene he’s in. Whilst it still has some of the pitfalls of the overcrowded, rom-com genre; borrowing from a few recent entries, the characters do a lot here to help overcome some of these clichés. It was an absolute blast, and I would recommend it for fans of the series and general moviegoing audiences alike. I feel there is something here for everybody. Be sure to pick-up your copy today from the team over at Sanity on DVD, Blu-Ray, you won’t want to miss it!

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Christopher Pattison from Oz-Movie Geek wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here.