Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

A Witty, Heartfelt Comeback That Balances Romance, Grief, and Charm

Bridget Jones has become one of the most beloved female movie characters of all time, consistently topping polls over other iconic characters such as Erin Brockovich and Hermione Granger. While the books were a massive hit, the films themselves have grossed over $1 billion cumulatively. Jones’ affability and relatability—struggling to fit within the impossible standards of society—make her an instant fan favorite. She has also inspired later iconic female characters in Fleabag (2016–2019) and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019). Now, the fourth film in the Bridget Jones saga has arrived: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025).

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy finds Jones (Renée Zellweger) four years after the death of her husband, Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), as she juggles single motherhood to her two children, Billy (Casper Knopf) and Mabel (Mila Jankovic). With some well-meaning pestering from her old friend group, she once again attempts to break into the dating scene, finding herself caught between an uptight science teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a much younger park ranger (Leo Woodall).

Mad About the Boy is co-written by author Helen Fielding, and she sticks much closer to her well-received fourth book of the same name than the previous two sequels, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016). Those two sequels largely diluted the essential character and clumsy earnestness of Jones by Hollywood-izing the plot and structure. Mad About the Boy, however, gratefully returns to the diary format of the original Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001). This makes it the strongest sequel in the franchise, approaching the affability and charm of the first film—though for one specific reason: the film is much closer to a legacy sequel than its predecessors and essentially remakes the first movie with some slight twists.

That said, there are notable deviations, particularly the refreshing perspective of placing a middle-aged woman as the protagonist of a rom-com. There’s also an air of seriousness and drama, especially given the tragedy of Mr. Darcy’s death, which lingers over the family at the film’s core. Mad About the Boy is at its best when exploring themes of self-worth, the struggles of motherhood, and the navigation of grief—truly advancing its characters forward rather than simply revisiting the past. Director Michael Morris, best known for his TV work but whose only other film was the small yet Oscar-controversial To Leslie (2022), smartly delves into these intimate moments, allowing them to breathe between the more obligatory rom-com elements. When the romance and comedy take center stage, Morris rightfully leans into the cheek and cliché, winking at the audience over the formulaic structure while bringing a meta-awareness that fits well with the Bridget Jones tone.

Despite having two Oscars to her name, Zellweger will likely always be defined by her inimitable portrayal of Jones. Mad About the Boy marks her first role since her Oscar-winning turn in Judy (2019), yet she slips back into the character as if she had never left—relishing in the much more faithful script while deftly handling the film’s more dramatic moments. It’s clear that the role of Jones means a great deal to Zellweger, and she rightfully inhabits her with love and care that radiate from the screen. The supporting players all perform well within their rather two-dimensional roles, with Hugh Grant (seemingly in every film these days) proving an absolute scene-stealer in his few minutes on screen.

In the end, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the closest any sequel has come to capturing the original’s quality. Its more serious themes don’t detract from the comedy and romance audiences expect but instead add depth and character progression that elevate the material. The predictable rom-com structure inevitably reveals itself, especially as the film shamelessly echoes the original. However, led by the ever-charming Zellweger, Jones wins over our hearts yet again.

7.4/10