My Fault London (2025) by Charlotte Fassler, Dani Girdwood: A Forbidden Romance in a World of Secrets
- dailyentertainment95
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Short Summary: A Love That Defies All Rules
My Fault: London is a British romantic drama that follows Noah, an American teenager who moves to London with her mother after she marries a wealthy man. There, she meets her new stepbrother, Nick, and despite their initial animosity, a fierce and forbidden attraction sparks between them. As they navigate their secret relationship, they must also confront their own traumatic pasts and a dangerous threat from Noah's recently paroled father.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32434379/
Link Review: https://screenrant.com/my-fault-london-movie-review/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/my-fault-london (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/my-fault-london (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/my-fault-london (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/my-fault-london (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/a-contre-sens-londres (France), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/my-fault-london (Italy), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/culpa-mia-londres (Spain), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/culpa-mia-meine-schuld-london (Germany), https://www.justwatch.com/nl/movie/my-fault-london (Netherlands)
Detailed Summary: A Secret Love and a Shadow from the Past
The story begins with 18-year-old Noah reluctantly moving from Florida to London with her mother, Ella, to live with Ella's new husband, William.
Upon arriving at her lavish new home, Noah immediately clashes with William's son, Nick, a "bad boy" with a troubled past and a secret life involving street racing and fighting.
Despite their constant arguments and the taboo nature of their relationship, a powerful and undeniable chemistry develops between them, forcing them to keep their budding romance a secret from their parents.
Their relationship is tested as they discover their shared history of parental trauma, with Noah's past involving an abusive, drug-addicted father and Nick's stemming from his own struggles with violence and a complicated family life.
The stakes are raised dramatically when Noah's violent father, Travis, is released from prison and travels to London with a clear motive: to find and kidnap Noah for a ransom, forcing Nick and Noah to confront a dangerous reality beyond their secret love affair.
Director's Vision: Capturing the Heat and the Heartbreak
Directors Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood sought to create a visually rich and emotionally charged romantic drama. Their vision was to honor the source material—the popular Spanish film and the original Wattpad novel—while infusing it with a unique London setting. They aimed to portray the forbidden romance between Noah and Nick with palpable tension and to explore their emotional journeys with depth and sincerity. The directors successfully blend the high-stakes world of illegal racing and crime with the intimate, vulnerable moments between the two lead characters.
Themes: The Power of Forbidden Love, Trauma and Healing, and The Duality of Identity
Forbidden Love:Â The central theme revolves around the taboo nature of a step-sibling romance. The film explores the thrill and danger of a love that is socially unacceptable and the lengths to which the characters will go to protect it.
Trauma and Healing:Â Both Noah and Nick are deeply scarred by their pasts. The movie delves into how they find solace and understanding in each other, using their shared pain to form a deep emotional connection that helps them heal.
The Duality of Identity:Â The film examines the different faces people present to the world. Nick, the "bad boy" racer, is also a loving brother and a protective partner. Noah, the seemingly innocent new girl, has a traumatic past and a hidden inner strength. The movie explores how these dual identities clash and eventually merge.
Trust and Betrayal:Â The narrative is built on layers of trust and betrayal, from Noah's trust in Nick to protect her, to her father's ultimate betrayal, and the challenge of building a new family.
Key success factors: Fan-favorite story, strong casting, and an international appeal
Pre-existing Fanbase:Â The film is based on a wildly popular Spanish film and a best-selling book series, giving it a massive, built-in audience eager to see the English-language adaptation.
Casting and Chemistry:Â The casting of Asha Banks and Matthew Broome is a major success factor. Their on-screen chemistry is widely praised by viewers, which is critical for the success of a romance-driven film.
The "London" Setting:Â The film successfully uses London's vibrant and diverse landscape as more than just a backdrop, making it an integral part of the story and giving the remake a fresh, international appeal.
Thrilling Action Sequences:Â The inclusion of illegal street racing and action sequences adds an element of excitement and drama that elevates the film beyond a simple romance.
Awards & Nominations: National Film Awards Recognition
National Film Awards UK 2025:
Nominee:Â Best British Film.
Nominee:Â Best Newcomer (for an unspecified actor, though it was likely one of the new leads).
Nominee:Â Outstanding Performance (for Asha Banks).
Summary:Â "My Fault: London" received three nominations at the National Film Awards UK 2025 for Best British Film, Best Newcomer, and Outstanding Performance for its lead actress, Asha Banks.
Critics' Reception: Mixed to Negative, but Praised for Its Leads
Critical reception for "My Fault: London" has been mixed to negative, with many critics finding the plot to be cliche and unoriginal. However, there is a strong consensus that the chemistry between the lead actors is a major strength.
Metacritic:Â Based on three critic reviews, the film holds a score of 30 out of 100, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews."
Courtney Howard of Variety criticized the film for failing to "avoid the lazy, clichéd pitfalls of the pre-existing narrative," despite noting the directors' "visual dexterity within the propulsive action sequences."
A review in Screen Rant by Ferdosa Abdi stated, "There aren't any surprises, and all that we are left with is a little bit of satisfaction and underlying curiosity as to why this movie was worth investing in."
Positive Reception: Despite the low Metascore, some critics, like Heidi Dischler from her self-titled blog, were more enthusiastic, noting that the "chemistry is off the charts." She compared the film favorably to the After film series, stating that "My Fault: London" is a romance "you want to root for" because the characters aren't "completely freaking toxic."
Comparison to the Original: A review on Tell-Tale TV by Jerrica Tisdale found the film to be a better version of the original Spanish film, Culpa MÃa. She noted that the British remake makes the romance feel "more gradual" and the characters "more logical and calculated," which ultimately makes it "more believable" and "more mature."
Summary: Critics' reception for "My Fault: London" was generally unfavorable, with a Metacritic score of 30/100. Critics like Courtney Howard of Variety found the plot to be cliché, while others like Heidi Dischler and Jerrica Tisdale praised the film's lead performances and their strong chemistry, with the latter even arguing it's a better-paced and more believable film than its Spanish predecessor.
Reviews: A Forbidden Romance with High-Stakes Consequences
Reviews detail the central narrative of "My Fault: London," which follows a forbidden love story between two stepsiblings with troubled pasts.
The Protagonist's Journey:Â The story centers on Noah (Asha Banks), an 18-year-old who is forced to move from America to London with her mother, Ella, to live with her new wealthy stepfather, William.
The "Enemies-to-Lovers" Dynamic:Â She immediately clashes with her new stepbrother, Nick (Matthew Broome), who is portrayed as a "brooding yet charismatic" bad boy. An undeniable, forbidden attraction quickly develops between them, leading to a passionate and often tumultuous romance.
Shared Trauma and Hidden Pasts:Â The film delves into the characters' difficult pasts. Noah is haunted by her abusive father, who is released from prison, while Nick grapples with his own family secrets. A key element of their connection is their shared interest in illegal street racing, which provides a backdrop for the film's action sequences.
The Conflict:Â The film's primary conflict arises when Noah's estranged father begins to track her down, putting her and Nick in danger. The stakes are raised as they must navigate their relationship while fending off threats from a violent past.
Audience Appeal: The film's reviews from fan sites and audience polls suggest it successfully balances its romantic drama with high-octane action. As noted by Marissa Hill, Executive Editor of Shade Studios, the film "navigates the murky waters of morality and desire with a deft hand" and offers a "fusion of the adrenaline-pumping Fast and the Furious franchise with the manipulative, seductive undertones of Cruel Intentions." The film's success with audiences led to a greenlight for sequels, with the second and third installments, Your Fault: London and Our Fault: London, already in production.
Why to watch this movie: A Perfect Blend of Romance and Thrills
Compelling Chemistry:Â The dynamic between the two leads is a major reason to watch. Their on-screen connection is captivating and makes the forbidden romance feel incredibly real and worth rooting for.
A High-Stakes Story:Â The film is more than just a love story; it's a thriller with dangerous car races, a kidnapping plot, and a dangerous criminal on the loose. This adds a layer of excitement that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Emotional Depth: The movie doesn't shy away from exploring the characters' painful pasts. It’s a story about two broken people finding healing and hope in each other.
A Great Entry Point to YA Romance:Â If you're a fan of the young adult romance genre, this film is a fantastic addition to your watch list, offering a well-executed plot and compelling characters.
Movie Trend: The Wattpad to Screen Adaptation
My Fault: London follows the trend of adapting popular online stories, particularly those from platforms like Wattpad, into films. This trend capitalizes on existing fanbases, translating the raw, emotionally driven narratives that resonate with online readers into successful cinematic experiences. The film's success demonstrates the power of these digital platforms as a new source for Hollywood blockbusters and popular streaming content.
Social Trend: The Rise of the "Bad Boy with a Heart of Gold" Trope
The film taps into the enduring social and cultural trend of the "bad boy with a heart of gold" archetype. In an age where audiences are increasingly aware of toxic masculinity, there is a renewed fascination with characters like Nick, who, despite their brooding exterior and dangerous hobbies, are deeply protective, loyal, and ultimately vulnerable. This trope appeals to the romantic ideal of a person who is tough on the outside but can be softened by true love.
Final Verdict: A Winning Romance for the Streaming Age
My Fault: London is a winning romance for the streaming age, successfully blending a classic forbidden love story with modern action and emotional depth. While its tropes may be familiar, the electric chemistry between the leads, the thrilling plot, and the film's thoughtful exploration of trauma and healing make it a compelling and enjoyable watch. It’s a must-see for fans of the genre and a powerful example of how online stories can be successfully brought to life on screen.