Why does the timeless tale of One Day still resonate with audiences in 2024?

The story of One Day is very special to me, even though I haven't read the novel. The 2011 film, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, was my first introduction to love. At the age of 11, I was shown that love meant finding your solace in one person and no matter what happens in the future, you will always find a way to that person. Considering the amount of love I had for the 2011 film, I was sceptical about watching the recently released Netflix web series of the same name, One Day, but thank God I did.

Although the story of One Day was released in 2009, this timeless rom-com has stood the test of time. It is funny, romantic and heartbreaking at the same time. In the world of 2024, where the definition of friendship and love has changed, One Day becomes a necessary piece of content that redefines the meaning of relationships and familial bonds.

One Day the series showcases the lives of Emma Morley (played by Ambika Mod), a studious teenager who longs to change the world, and Dexter Mayhew (played by Leo Woodall), a rich brat who makes his way through the world with his charming looks. As they stand on opposite ends of the spectrum, it is only their love and their bond that bring them back together every year on July 15.

One Day showcases the irregularities of life

The story of One Day effortlessly showcases the ups and downs of life. Emma, a bright student, struggles to find her way in the world and becomes a waitress at a restaurant, while Dexter, an average student, becomes a TV celebrity. But life quickly takes a turn when Emma finds her true calling and becomes a successful children’s book writer, whereas Dexter walks away from the glamour world to lead a regular life. The story fills you with hope for a future filled with good times while also humbling you by showing that everything is temporary in life.

Good emphasis on side characters

While Emma and Dexter are the central characters of the web series, it also places emphasis on the side characters, making you feel how important friendships and human bonds are. By showing Emma and Tilly’s (played by Amber Grappy) friendship or Dexter’s bond with his mother Alison (played by Essie Davis), the series shows us that there are certain experiences in life that we have to go through alone or with somebody else before we find ‘the one’. The narrative shows how important interpersonal relationships are on the path of self-discovery.

The importance of not giving up

In a contemporary world where our attention spans are five seconds long and friendships change by the minute, One Day teaches us the importance of staying put. It shows us that it is worth waiting for and fighting for the sake of that one person. As Emma and Dexter go through the different stages of their lives, they meet other people, fall in love, get married, and get divorced, but they continue to find their comfort in each other. The love that they share for each other never goes away.

In essence, One Day is a testament to the enduring power of love and friendship, reminding us that true connections transcend time and circumstances, leaving an indelible imprint on our hearts for years to come.