Netflix fans 'in absolute bits' over new film branded 'a beautiful tribute'

Netflix fans have admitted to ‘crying buckets’ while watching a new Netflix film about the development of IVF, starring Bill Nighy, James Norton and Thomasin McKenzie.

‘Joy’ is a dramatisation of the real-life run up to the first IVF test tube baby being born in 1978, and it was released on Netflix on Friday (22 November).

Thomasin McKenzie, known for Last Night in Soho and Jojo Rabbit, plays Jean Purdy - a nurse and embryologist who helped solve the challenge of infertility to create IVF.

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Actor James Norton, known best for his role in hit series Happy Valley, stars as scientist Robert Edwards and award-winning actor Bill Nighy plays surgeon Patrick Steptoe. The two joined forces with Jean and turned the pioneering concept of IVF into reality.

Many people have taken to social media to share how much they loved the new film.

One person wrote: “Just watched ‘Joy - the birth of IVF’ on Netflix and learnt the name and achievements of a woman I’ve never heard of before; #JeanPurdy. Her personal story brought tears to my eyes.”

Another person said: “Spent a wintry afternoon watching Joy, the film about how IVF and the people who worked so hard to make sure it happened became the wonder of science that helps create families. And I flamin' cried... buckets.”

One X user said: “It's a beautiful tribute to science, the scientists and most importantly the women who had the faith to entrust their dreams to a new technology. Warning - you will cry.”

Someone wrote on Reddit: “My husband and I just finished the new Netflix movie Joy about IVF. Highly recommend! I cried the whole time my husband cried too. Such an amazing process.”

Many parents of children conceived through IVF have expressed their appreciation for the new Netflix film, which shines a light on all the hard work that went on behind the scenes to develop the amazing medical phenomenon.

Someone wrote: “The wife and I just sat and watched Joy on Netflix. As IVF parents, we were in absolute bits. Incredible people who did incredible things. Feel privileged to be a part of that club and seeing how the story began, and the people who blazed the trail, was just a beautiful thing”.

Another person said: “I’m a test tube baby myself and just gave birth to my own daughter 10 weeks ago. Made me sob so much realising the work that went into IVF and how me and my daughter wouldn’t be here. It’s crazy how much they’ve done for the world.”

Even the trailer reduced viewers to tears. One person wrote on X: “Haven’t even watched Joy on Netflix yet and sobbing at the 20 sec teaser trailer”.

And another person agreed: "My husband and I just saw the trailer - we were bawling".

Joy is streaming now on Netflix.