HEARTSTOPPER FOREVER Review

We are back for the final instalment of the Heartstopper series. Based on the graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper has been loved around the world for celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. With three seasons, Netflix decided to close out one of its beloved series with a two-hour film rather than giving it a fourth and final season. In Heartstopper Forever, we are reunited with Charlie (Joe Locke), Nick (Kit Connor), and all of their friends for one last adventure.

A true coming-of-age story, Heartstopper Forever shows the difficulties of growing up and moving away from your friends and loved ones. A year older than his boyfriend, Nick is suffering from deep anxiety about not knowing who he is outside of his relationship and what his future holds.

In the past seasons of the show, Charlie has always been the focal point. His issues with bullying and eating have been highlighted. Nick has always stood by his side and been a supportive boyfriend, but you must be confident in yourself as an individual and not just a partner. Nick says he is lost and does not know who he is without Charlie, raising concern.

Seeing their friends Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao) slowly separate due to the worries of distance after high school, Nick becomes all wrapped up in his head. Rather than communicating how he is feeling, Nick stays silent. In Oseman's classic illustration style, we can see storm clouds brewing behind Nick as he falls deeper into a depression. Charlie tries to get Nick to open up, but the two just misunderstand what the other wants, leading to them breaking up.

I think Heartstopper Forever does a great job of depicting anxiety and depression in the film. Kit Connor's performance as Nick is top-notch, as he brings deep emotion to his character as he suffers alone. Joe Locke does a fantastic job in the film too, as you get to see the self-evolution of the character Charlie from a meek boy in season one to a confident young adult in the film.

I would warn audiences that though this is family-friendly, the film does have adult content. There are multiple scenes of sexual intercourse throughout the film; however, all of them are consensual. I have grown up alongside these actors, who were children when the series began and are now adults, and it is obvious the cast and crew wanted to allow the characters to not be children anymore but young adults. The scenes are shot very tastefully, and I believe the scenes help to normalise queer sexual intercourse.

The film also deals with tough subject matter of eating disorders and self-harm. I praise the Heartstopper series for never being afraid to tackle hard subject matters. I do think it is important that Charlie, the character suffering from these thoughts, is shown working with a therapist (Eddie Marsan). This shows others that it is okay to ask for help, and that there is hope of feeling better.

By the end of the film, Charlie and Nick are able to reconcile and talk through how they are truly feeling. Both afraid of the future, they assume the other did not want to be with them, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Together, they make each other stronger. But I think it's important that the film highlights that you should still have individuality. Your relationship should not define you, but allow your individual traits to shine.

I would say I was disappointed with the lack of supporting characters. I know it is the Charlie and Nick story, but their friends all had their own plotlines in the three seasons of the series. Elle and Tao get a few small scenes to contrast against Charlie and Nick's relationship, and for the Pride scene. It is sad as a trans character herself, Elle is needed more than ever right now. I loved her monologue about needing her community at Pride as her rights are being stripped away, but I needed more.

Same goes with Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) and Tara (Corinna Brown). As the ones who influenced Charlie and Nick to be open and free, it is frustrating that these two are barely on screen. As one of the only people of colour and non-binary characters, I wish Tara and Darcy were given any story in this film, as they have only a handful of lines. I'm just glad they get a happy ending.

Overall, I am satisfied with this final goodbye to my beloved Heartstopper series. The cast has grown up with me, and we are ready to spread our wings and try something new after almost five years. I do have my criticisms of the film, but I think queer optimism is greatly needed right now. With LGBTQ+ rights being threatened across the world in 2026, films like Heartstopper Forever are integral to communicating that it is okay to love who you want to love.

The world is dark right now, but Heartstopper Forever teaches us that you must not stay silent but ask for help. You can not suffer alone; it is important to seek out those you trust when you are in a bad place. Your friends and loved ones will be with you through thick and thin. No matter the distance, if you communicate, your love will grow into a strong and true relationship. You never know; it might last until the end of time.

🍿 SCORE = 80 / 100