Last Chance To Stream: Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson’s Real-Life Rom-Com ‘Hampstead’ Is Leaving Netflix

If you are looking for a cozy, heartwarming palate cleanser to counter the spooky Halloween movie marathons this weekend, time is running out. The 2017 British comedy-drama Hampstead is officially scheduled to depart Netflix on Friday, October 31.

Boasting an elite ensemble cast led by Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson, alongside stellar supporting turns from James Norton and Lesley Manville, this slice-of-life romance is well worth a watch before it leaves the platform.

(A quick, friendly side-note: While some internet listings have accidentally labeled Diane Keaton as “the late,” we are happy to report the Oscar-winning screen icon is very much alive and kicking!)

The True Story Behind the Screen

Directed by Joel Hopkins (Last Chance Harvey) and written by Robert Festinger (In the Bedroom), Hampstead is set in one of London’s most picturesque, affluent neighborhoods. The film follows Emily Walters (Keaton), an American widow struggling to maintain her upscale apartment and navigate financial instability following her husband’s passing.

Her life takes an unexpected turn when she looks out her window into Hampstead Heath and spots Donald Horner (Gleeson), a reclusive man living in a makeshift, off-grid cabin. Despite their completely different lifestyles, the two strike up an unlikely romance when Donald’s home is targeted by aggressive real estate developers looking to build luxury apartments.

Did you know? The film is directly inspired by the real-life story of Harry Hallowes (often called “Harry the Hermit”). Hallowes famously occupied a hidden plot of land on Hampstead Heath for decades. In 2007, he successfully won legal squatter’s rights to the plot—which was valued at over £2 million—thwacking local developers in a historic legal victory.

Behind-the-Scenes Charm

While Hampstead received a somewhat muted response from critics upon its initial release—currently holding a 43% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—audiences have been far kinder, awarding it a respectable 6.1 score on IMDb. Critics praised Keaton’s performance, with The Standard calling her a “refreshing romantic lead” and The Wrap celebrating her “terrific” presence.

The film also holds a special place in the heart of co-star James Norton, who plays Emily’s son. In a 2020 interview with Time Out, Norton fondly recalled his time on set:

“In Hampstead, I had a scene in a sushi bar with Diane Keaton. I got to spend hours asking her everything you’d ever want to ask her about Woody Allen and The Godfather.”

Meanwhile, Oscar nominee Lesley Manville delivers a wonderfully sharp performance as Emily’s nosy, self-serving neighbor, Fiona.

The Great November Netflix Exodus

Hampstead isn’t the only casualty of Netflix’s upcoming catalog rotation. A massive wave of fan-favorites will be leaving the service over the first week of November.

If you want to catch these titles, map out your viewing schedule accordingly:

• October 31 (Final Day to Watch): Hampstead

• November 1: Mean Girls (the original 2004 classic), Now You See Me (2013), The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, and SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.

• November 2: Parasite (Bong Joon Ho’s historic Best Picture winner).

• November 5: 17 Again (starring Zac Efron and the late Matthew Perry).

• November 11: The Miracle Club (starring Laura Linney, Kathy Bates, and the late Maggie Smith).

Where Are the Stars Now?

If watching Hampstead leaves you wanting more from its brilliant supporting cast, you won’t have to wait long.

Lesley Manville is trading the screen for the stage, starring alongside Aidan Turner in a highly anticipated, seductive production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at London’s National Theatre.

James Norton is tackling music history, having officially joined Sam Mendes’ ambitious, star-studded Beatles biopic quadrilogy. Norton will portray Brian Epstein, the legendary and long-term manager who helped catapult the Fab Four to global superstardom.