Netflix followers rave over ‘miraculous, must-see’ movie about ‘heroes we’re all indebted to’ as emotional scenes transfer them to tears

Netflix fans are raving over ‘miraculous, must-see’ film as James Norton‘s latest movie Joy takes the top spot on the streaming site.

Joy tells the remarkable true story behind the birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978, the world’s first ‘test-tube baby,’ and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible.

Starring James Norton as scientist Robert Edwards, the actor is joined by his co-stars Thomasin McKenzie and Bill Nighy. 

And fans were left emotional after watching the movie as they confessed to being a ‘sobbing mess’ and called it an ‘understated gem’. 

Taking to Twitter they wrote: ‘#JOY on #Netflix is an incredibly emotional watch for me! Amazing film. Must watch. Certainly makes u proud to he British’;

‘#joy amazing film, and actors. Very moving. Pioneers’; ‘What a marvellous watch I am a sobbing mess #Netflix #JOY’;

‘Loved ‘Joy’ on Netflix— an inspiring story about the trailblazing trio behind the first “test-tube baby.” James Norton, Thomasin McKenzie, and Bill Nighy star in this understated gem.’;

‘JOY is a must see for everyone involved in IVF. Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy were not just extraordinary researchers ahead of their time, but authentic heroes that fought against their world to make it real. We ate all in debt with them.

Others opened up about their own personal IVF and fertility experiences as they explained how the film had resonated with them. 

They penned: ‘If you’ve ever come across the term infertility or IVF, and have been longing/found that ultimate joy, Go watch the movie #Joy on @netflix You’ll so damn relate to it. It will be an emotionally overwhelming viewing experience.

‘Watching #Joy on Netflix – the miracle of IVF. Grateful every day.’; ‘I watched #Joy The Birth of IVF on @netflix this morning, it was bittersweet.’;

‘My own IVF journey 2010-13 failed; unexplained Infertility the outcome. A kick in the teeth after my pregnancy with James a few years earlier. It’s incredible how science changing lives every day

‘To Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this little miracle one of your 12 million and counting’.

Based on a true story, Joy follows three pioneering British scientists in the ’60s and ’70s and their struggle to develop IVF — against all odds. 

Louise was was the first IVF baby born at Oldham General Hospital in 1978 and Netflix have set about telling her story and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible. 

The film is told through the perspective of Jean Purdy (Thomasin), a young nurse and embryologist who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards (James) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill) to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering IVF.

The film celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science as it follows this maverick trio of visionaries who overcame tremendous odds and opposition to realise their dream, and in doing so allowed millions of people to dream with them.

The birth of Louise on July 25, 1978, was reported exclusively by the Daily Mail with the headline ‘And here she is.. the Lovely Louise.’

Her mother, Lesley Brown, had been unable to conceive naturally because her Fallopian tubes were blocked.

She had been trying for a baby for nine years when she signed up for IVF.

She was among 282 women who tried the experimental procedure, with doctors attempting 457 egg collections but only 167 cycles resulting in fertilisation.

From 12 embryos successfully implanted into women, five became pregnant, and Louise was the one live birth.