'Heartstopper Forever' Netflix Review: Over Too Soon, But Just Lovely Enough 

I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that a popular show like Heartstopper about the queer experience had to be made into one final movie instead of a whole delicious season because of a significant viewership drop. I didn’t really look into the subject any deeper because I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed all 3 seasons of the show with my whole heart. As an avid fan of the graphic novels that inspired the show which took author Alice Oseman on as writer with full creative control, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. However, I don’t think I’m fully on board with the decision to make the final goodbye a film rather than a series. Now, this is mainly because of two major factors. The show is so excellent because it doesn’t just take into account Nick and Charlie as characters; it also dives deep into all the friends in the group, so though this is specifically a Nick and Charlie story, it’s not necessarily only that. The second thing is that time heals all, and as a show that burns so bright, never really taking away from the queer experience, no matter the character, it is quite an immersive experience. I don’t think that’s fully deliverable in the form of a movie. And that’s honestly my biggest problem here. 

Heartstopper Forever is the next step in Nick and Charlie’s story. They’re becoming adults, Nick’s going to go off to college soon, and both boys are deeply insecure about what the future holds for them. Going off to college is stressful already, but feeling like an outcast before you can even get there can really make you feel like the whole world is out to get you in the worst way. This is what we get to see in the final film. Sure, there’s a lot more romance, and some heartbreak as well. But while the film includes all our beloved characters, it doesn’t give them enough screen time to really let us soak in their stories. There’s a lot of references to the series, with some scenes even recreated in their entirety, that will make you feel nostalgic for something that came out only a few years ago. 

But my criticism isn’t for the film itself. The storyline is pretty tight, especially if you’ve been a fan for a while. You already know the beats that were seen earlier that have been followed through in the film. Yet I found myself wanting more, because, let’s face it, it’s nothing like watching an 8-part series. Most of the time, a film is the better option, because you can finish it in one sitting, and you don’t have to think a lot about what’s going on. But when it comes to something you’ve loved for so long, it’s got to make room for nostalgia and do it justice. It’s got to address everything, not just the main characters. 

Tao, Elle, Tara, Darcy, Isaac, and even Imogen were a huge part of what made the series so likable. If you saw it as unrealistic, what are you doing here? But if you enjoyed the show, there’s no way you would consider these people just supporting characters. They’re honestly as important as Charlie and Nick to the Heartstopper story. This is the bit that’s almost entirely missing in the film because, for obvious reasons, the focus has to be on the two male leads. There are some really important things the other characters are going through, but they get missed out on in the grand scheme of things. Some things are so rushed you wonder why they’re there at all. 

As someone who has been following the series for years, right from the start, from when the books were published, I find myself acting almost instinctively as a big sister to these characters. Sure, I’m nearly as old as the author of the books, the person who birthed these characters, but I also feel like I watched not just the characters, but the cast grow up, just like Alice did. So, there is a sense of pride in watching how far they’ve come, and seeing what’s next for them. Kit Connor and Joe Locke continue to have incredible chemistry that never misses a beat. For Joe, the thing that’s striking is the eating disorder bits, which couldn’t have been easy to work through. For Kit, though, I think the character of Nick himself is quite hard to handle. Not only is he closeted when the show begins, but he’s what I could only call a vulnerable jock. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they exist in real life, but there’s no inspiration for a Nick Nelson. Kit is the inspiration, and he’s the one who’s set a precedent for future young actors to play such roles without coming across as fake. 

Heartstopper has always had a layer of whimsy to it, and while the drawings and the excitement continue in the film, it definitely takes a darker turn than the rest of the show. I did mention in my recap that the thing that makes this series a standout is how shiny and bright it is, but it doesn’t shy away from cutting deep when it comes to certain topics that teenagers might find impossible to talk about. As an adult, I wondered while watching the film, what made me feel so intrigued by the Nick and Charlie story? Why would I feel so emotionally invested in these characters? I don’t necessarily have an answer for this, but I think it might be because the only things I watched as a teenager were somehow toxic. Hearstopper is like a Disney show but with a dose of realism. Know what I mean? The lads bully the gays, but it’s not something that’s brushed under the rug. There’s trans representation like nowhere else. It’s not exploitative in any way; it’s completely about owning your own identity, and even if you don’t feel in any way queer, as a woman especially, you might find yourself drawn to Heartstopper.

Ultimately, I found myself disappointed that the film got over so soon and there was so little of everyone else, but I can’t complain about the content itself. Everything was neatly wrapped up in a rainbow-coloured bow and presented to us with the utmost care. Now more than ever, Nick and Charlie really look like their book counterparts thanks to the massive growth of Kit Connor’s muscles. Both Yasmine Fenny and William Gao have two really important pieces of dialogue, beautifully delivered as always. Jenny Walser’s Tori has a lot of screen time, which I really appreciate, and Echo the dog (RIP) gets a really sweet scene as Nellie, amongst some other dogs. At the end of the day, really, even if I did want to complain, I would always recommend Heartstopper. The film is a decent goodbye to these characters we’ve all grown to love like our own best buddies. If you’ve graduated college recently, you might feel a tad bit emotional, even. So, I give Heartstopper Forever 3.5 out of 5 stars. I just wanted more, you know? Oh, also, keep an eye out for Alice Oseman in the film.