Irreplaceable You

Abbie gets a cancer diagnosis that suddenly makes the future feel fragile, and she faces it with a mix of honesty and stubborn optimism. Instead of retreating, she rubs her friends in on a plan to help the man she loves most, her fiancé Sam, and the decades long bond they share. Worried about what will happen to Sam when she is no longer there to steer his life, she asks the people closest to them to explore a future in which he could still find happiness with the right partner. The idea triggers a hopeful comedy of errors, heartfelt conversations, and awkward missteps as they weigh grief, loyalty, and the messy truth about love after diagnosis. It blends humor with earnest emotion, never losing sight of what makes a relationship endure.

Directed by Stephanie Laing, Irreplaceable You comes from an original screenplay by Bess Wohl. It premiered as a Netflix film in 2018, with Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Michiel Huisman headlining, supported by Steve Coogan and Jacki Weaver in key supporting roles.

Because it arrived primarily on Netflix, the movie did not post a traditional worldwide gross. There are no widely reported box office totals, as its release was designed for streaming rather than a standard theatrical run.

The film sits in Netflix's growing roster of romance dramas that thread humor through serious illness, inviting viewers to consider caregiving, friendship, and second chances. Mbatha-Raw's performance brings warmth and gravity to Abbie, and the movie prompted audiences to talk about making space for loved ones during difficult times.

Audience response is mid range with a 6.95 out of 10 rating from 713 votes. Critics noted a sincere attempt to balance humor and grief, while some found the tonal shifts uneven. The film centers on love, resilience, and the messy reality of planning for a future you cannot guarantee.