Heartstopper Forever review – sanitized sex scenes won’t let the Netflix lovebirds grow up
A Guardian critic argues that the movie’s refusal to depict typical teenage behaviours leaves its protagonists with “kid gloves,” prioritising reassurance over narrative depth.
The Guardian has published a review of Heartstopper Forever, the film-length finale to the Netflix series, arguing that the movie fails to allow its characters to mature realistically. The critic contends that the film presents a "sanitized" version of queer teen life, relying on fan service and treating the now-18-year-old protagonists with "kid gloves." While the film has poignant moments, the review suggests it prioritises reassurance and nostalgia over narrative depth.
The review highlights actor Kit Connor’s recent comments to The Guardian, where he suggested he would have preferred the characters to engage in typical teenage behaviours, such as cheating, to reflect reality. The critic notes that while the film has poignant moments, it relies on fan service and presents a sanitized version of queer teen life. Key criticisms include the absence of typical teenage behaviours such as cheating or substance abuse, and sex scenes that are described as coy and lacking the awkwardness of real adolescent experiences.
Specific criticisms include the absence of substance abuse, vaping, or sex apps in the characters' lives, and sex scenes described as "strangely coy" and lacking the awkwardness of real adolescent experiences. The film is noted for its "bludgeoningly obvious flashbacks" and a structure that feels like a "slapdash game of Issues Bingo" across four seasonal parts.
The review points out that the character Elle delivers earnest public service announcement-style lines about the state of LGBTQ+ rights, which the critic finds odd given the character’s previous narrative arc. A scene featuring Charlie’s sister, Tori, discussing her asexual relationship is cited as one of the few moments that does not feel "overly workshopped."
Heartstopper Forever is the film-length finale to the Netflix series, adapting Alice Oseman’s graphic novels. The main characters, Nick and Charlie, are now 18 and 17 years old in this finale. The series features a wider ensemble cast including Tao, Elle, Darcy, and Rhea, with Darcy being a non-binary classmate. Derek Jacobi makes a cameo appearance in the film as part of an elderly gay couple. The fictional setting is Truham grammar school, where the characters spend their final year together.