Heartstopper fans are rightly calling out a 'sickening' response to the new film trailer for the beloved Netflix series. As fans prepare to bid farewell to the phenomenon, many people are asking one deeply disturbing question: 'Do they f**k or no?' wrote @inagreyhoodie on X. 'Right like I watched it and I wasn’t even turned on once,' replied @yyzvc. The comments are unsettling, prompting other viewers to issue stern reminders that the characters of Nick and Charlie are teenagers, and if you're looking for a hypersexualised story, this isn't the show for you.
The Heartstopper Phenomenon
Created by graphic novelist Alice Oseman, Heartstopper was adapted for Netflix in 2022 and achieved roaring success practically overnight. In the years since, its three seasons have continuously topped streaming charts with millions of views. Cast members, including Kit Connor (who plays rugby lad Nick Nelson) and Joe Locke (more reserved classmate Charlie Spring), have forged astonishingly successful international careers.
Heartstopper Forever: The Final Chapter
As the beloved characters look to the future and boyfriends Nick and Charlie navigate more mature challenges in their relationship, the story is being wrapped up with a two-hour movie, Heartstopper Forever, in July. The trailer dropped yesterday, leaving longtime fans screaming, crying, and smiling simultaneously at their computer screens. Soundtracked by Olivia Rodrigo's new single Stupid Song, the first look teases Nick and Charlie's biggest tests yet as they grapple with separation anxiety and self-discovery outside of their couple.
Disturbing Online Comments
It's just a shame that, despite the significant cultural impact the TV series has had and the important LGBTQ+ issues it explores, some online jokers are only fixated on what may be happening under the covers. 'Have the boys from Heartstopper already had sex or not?' @iguflips demanded to know, the replies to their tweet flooded with explicit jibes. Quite rightly, hundreds flocked to retaliate, explaining that such 'sickening' remarks are not only problematic but also detract from the 'beautiful' coming-of-age story.
@xofreyr pointed out, 'why do you guys want to see teenagers f**k so badly?' @anditslou asked, 'can we not have one thing without crazy sex scenes??' while @kinho_here wrote: 'Its a teen series, there will be mentions of sex and some happening sometimes, but its not the focus. Its about the living of a queer teen group, going through mental problems, coming out, family issues, relationship problems, etc. Not EVERYTHING in life needs to be about sex.' @Cristian212004 noted an 'obsession' with explicit scenes in queer media, and @chucky198913 bluntly told the filthy-minded folk to simply 'watch porn'.
Contrast with Other Queer Media
When it comes to LGBTQ+ TV shows and films, there's no shortage of risqué scenes. Heated Rivalry, a Canadian sports romance series, explores an illicit romance between two professional hockey players, with steamy scenes raising eyebrows. Red, White & Royal Blue, a queer rom-com starring Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, also features a hot and heavy forbidden affair. In contrast, Heartstopper is more character-driven. There's intimacy, but it's not forced for the sake of it. Instead, Nick and Charlie's connection strengthens over time, resulting in an almost cataclysmic first kiss after a string of agonising, gentle touches and longing glances.
The Importance of Heartstopper
Each episode is rich in narrative as that transitional chapter into adulthood becomes all-consuming for the students – not just Nick and Charlie, but also Elle (Yasmin Finney), who is transgender, Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), who begins exploring their non-binary identity, and Isaac (Tobie Donovan), who concludes that he might be asexual. To reduce a show so multidimensional and with such intricate, important storytelling to its sexual content feels not only degrading but also hugely disrespectful to the LGBTQ+ adults who have sought comfort in Heartstopper after growing up without people who looked like them on their screens.
Even actors Kit and Joe themselves have praised the show's 'natural evolution' over the past four years, explaining during promo for season 3 that it was 'exciting' to watch Nick and Charlie progress. Heartstopper has become a 'blueprint' for future queer media, and the impact of the story it has told will live on far longer than any quickie sex scenes. Heartstopper Forever will be released on Netflix on July 17.
