Dexter Mayhew is the guy of the guys, the popular Mr. Handsome, who has probably fallen on every man and woman’s radar in his four years at the University of Edinburgh (including Emma’s). Emma Morley is a working-class girl from Leeds and a bookworm with a double first in English and History.

The story of One Day unfolds when Dexter and Emma catch each other’s attention at the graduation ball on July 14, 1988, and end up spending the night together. To both of their surprises, the two don’t actually have sex, but something much sexier. They indulge in real conversation. This bond they end up building in that one night sets the course for our leads, Dexter and Emma.

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Based on a novel by David Nicholls, One Day is a story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew which spans through July 15 of every year for the next 20 years of their lives. The book was first adapted as a screenplay for a feature film of the same name which saw Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess in the lead. Later, it was adapted as a television series for Netflix which premiered on February 8, 2024.

Since its release on Netflix, One Day has received rave reviews. While some of the viewers knew about its adaptational chain, some were taken aback upon finding out that the show is actually based on that film by Hathaway which was based on that book.

The writer personally had some mixed reactions to the show, where the unsatisfactory experience, unfortunately, outweighed the good ones.

Here’s what I think of Netflix’s One Day: likes first and then  dislikes.

What I liked about Netflix’s ‘One Day’

One Day is a captivating drama series that intricately weaves together the lives of its characters in a poignant narrative that explores the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time.

Set against the backdrop of a small town, the show unfolds over the course of a single day for 20 years, offering viewers a snapshot of the character’s lives and the interconnectedness of their experiences through all those years.

Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall as Emma and Dexter (Source: Netflix)

At the heart of the series is its ensemble cast, each delivering compelling performances that breathe life into their respective roles. Leo Woodall appears as electric as Dexter Mayhew. The actor is just the right bit of cocky and charming, which makes Woodall’s performance feel right for the show.

Hathaway’s film character is reprised on Netflix’s show by Ambika Mod. This slight but seemingly conscious difference in casting adds a layered context to the content of the novel, which gradually develops from the 1980s.

Mod, as Emma, is talented, intelligent, sarcastic, and sometimes mean, but that little arrogance Mod brings to Morley’s character makes a viewer wonder if she has had to make herself competitive over the years as a brown woman growing up among rich White people to feel like she belongs.

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The show’s cinematography is another standout element, with sweeping shots of the picturesque town serving as a stunning backdrop for the unfolding drama. In the 14 episodes, we travel across Europe and the UK along with the characters. The viewers of the show, who are mostly Gen Z or millennials at best, are exposed to what it was like growing up in the 1980s and 90s in Europe and the UK.

The tinted screen with an orange hinge is used smartly to set the universe, which makes the viewers aware at all times that everything that’s happening and everything that we see is set in the past. The calm and steady frames evoke a sense of atmosphere and mood, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Thematically, One Day explores universal themes such as love, loss, redemption, and the passage of time. Through its cast of characters and their intersecting storylines, it offers a perspective, and a perspective shifts episode after episode.

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There’s a lot of grief in the show. From grieving their youths to grieving the loss of their loved ones to grieving themselves as they were in the past, the passage of time is shown in an eloquent way. The story is not of success nor is it of failure. The leads are forever a work in progress, be it in their professional life, personal or emotional regards. This is also one of the most realistic parts of the show, just the fact that life’s not always the same. Every passing moment, no matter how eclectic or miserable, is transient at best.

While One Day excels in several aspects, it’s not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel uneven, with certain subplots dragging on longer than necessary. Additionally, some viewers may find the linear narrative structure monotonous, especially in the early episodes. The show is broken down into fourteen 30-minute episodes, and often feels too lengthy and dragged.

The other hugely disappointing factor about the show is the chemistry between the leads. Woodall and Mod are individually at their best, but their coming together is underwhelming to the core. There is no story there. The leads profess their attraction to one another at different points in their life, and not one of the moments is romantically convincing enough.

The tension between the lead characters remains unexplored and is boiled down to mere sex in the latter part of the show, but it could have been so much more. The ‘time factor’ could easily chime in here. The emotional intimacy, especially from the female lead’s part, is concealed in the form of rude remarks, and while it’s funny at first, it gets boring later on.

Still from Netflix’s ‘One Day’

The subplots don’t add up. Characters like Tilly and Ian just appear and disappear out of nowhere. Sylvie and Callum’s characters were just swept under the rugs. The weak direction wasn’t able to portray the nature of the leads’ relationship with the supporting characters, leaving the viewers to wonder if the other characters indeed added something of significance to the story.

The climax is, to say the least, lacking. The most obvious, predictable climax was also the least sellable part of the show. It is abrupt and random and feels unnecessary. The novel readers and moviegoers were familiar with what was coming, but that shouldn’t have stopped the makers of the show from pulling all stops to make ‘the moment’ as gut-wrenching as possible.

While Woodall pulls off an immaculate performance in the final episode and tries to make up for the abysmal attempt at the climax, it is still not enough.

The show is being compared to a contemporary adaptation of another successful novel, Normal People. Both shows are about young people discovering themselves with some complicated romantic will-they-won’t-they entanglement along the way. Sadly, this is where the similarities between the shows begin and end. There are no layers to peel on Netflix’s One Day.

All in all, One Day on Netflix is a solid take on the retro romance genre, with two promising up-and-coming actors showcasing their talent. Sadly, it is neither too deep nor very philosophical and oftentimes bland.

The show is also a commitment of a few hours of one’s time. So, if you are looking for a no-brainer romance, this may be a suitable weekend binge, but if you are a character-driven person, it’s best to skip it as the show doesn’t offer anything new or groundbreaking.