Endings are tricky. We first met the Crawley family in 2010 as the series began with the sinking of the Titanic. Through five seasons, we moved through years of triumphs and tragedy, with the series drawing to a close in 2015.

Since that time, we’ve kept up with the characters and events through a series of movies. The first debuted in 2019 with a follow up, the final appearance for star Maggie Smith, in 2022. And now, three years later, we get the third and final film. It’s a last chance to catch up with these characters we’ve followed for 15 years as the Crawley family—and the rest of the world—hits 1930.

The film picks up after the events of the previous film. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is preparing to take over as the master of Downton Abbey and the whole family is still mourning the late Violet (Smith). But they are trying to survive the season in London and embrace the changes in the world.

All that becomes an even bigger challenge when word of Mary’s impending divorce becomes public. It’s a scandal that damages her position in elite society. This angers her father, Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), who doesn’t want to see his daughter and heir cast out of society. Meanwhile, the family is bracing to receive Lady Grantham’s (Elizabeth McGovern) brother Harold (Paul Giamatti). Her mother has died, and it’s been up to Harold to settle the estate and he’s come to bring a report.

But Harold isn’t alone. He’s come with Gus (Alessandro Nivola), a mysterious and cunning stranger that seems to have his own plans for the family’s fortunes. While trying to ferret out Gus’s true intentions, Edith (Laura Carmichael) also teams with her mother and Anna (Joanne Froggatt) to host a social gathering to restore Mary’s place in the community.

If you’ve been a fan of Downton Abbey over the years, any return to the world is a happy return. This is no different. It picks up in the aftermath of the second film and continues the adventures of this family as everyone moves on to that next phase. It feels like a fitting ending that provides closure to the characters and storylines we’ve followed for more than a decade.

The look of this film is solid. Julian Fellowes pens the script, which is good, but director Richard Curtis adds some wonderful visual flourishes that capture the majesty of the world and setting. I particularly liked an opening sequence gliding through the theater that provides a wonderful opening to the film.

But what works best is the way this advances the story to a logical conclusion. By the end of the run, you feel ready to bid these characters farewell. The closing sequence, with Mary alone in the house remembering all those in her family and in the family’s service, is a beautiful and touching moment. It’s also a wonderful tribute to Smith, who receives the dedication at the end of the film.

I have loved Downton Abbey since it debuted, so this film is certainly for me. But I loved the raw emotions, the beautiful look, and being back in this world. The Grand Finale lives up to its name and is worth checking out if you’re a fan of the characters or just a fan of a fun story.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, September 12.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.