Heartstopper Forever, the film-length finale of Netflix's teen LGBTQ+ series, has poignant moments but feels like fan service by numbers, according to a review. The film, which follows Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) in their final year at Truham grammar school, attempts to explore whether teen relationships can survive into adulthood, but its execution is uneven.
Sanitized Sex Scenes and Overly Wholesome Tone
Kit Connor recently told the Guardian that if he had his way, Nick and Charlie would have cheated on each other and done “all those stupid things” that young people do. However, Heartstopper Forever continues the series' tradition of excessive wholesomeness. The sex scenes are strangely coy, with no nudity or awkwardness, and the characters don't vape, use sex apps, or cheat. The film even includes an aerial shot to assure viewers that no late-night dog walkers were traumatized by a blowjob scene.
Uneven Pacing and Underdeveloped Subplots
The film covers a year in four parts (Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer) plus an epilogue, but lacks cohesive structure. Nick's borderline alcoholism and anxiety are resolved simply by working at an animal rescue, while Charlie's eating disorder is seemingly healed by a cameo from Derek Jacobi. Friends Tao and Elle's relationship issues are hardly explained, an odd oversight for characters who previously had significant screentime.
Fan Service and Political PSAs
The film often feels like a love letter to the franchise itself, with retread moments and obvious flashbacks. It also includes earnest PSAs about LGBTQ+ rights, such as Elle's comment about the government taking away rights, which feels inserted for political relevance rather than character depth. The wider cast is largely ignored, with Darcy's only notable development being a new haircut.
Bright Spots
The film has some touching moments, particularly from Charlie's sister Tori, whose speech about her asexual relationship is one of the most genuine scenes. Rhea (Imogen Heaney) provides well-timed one-liners, and the central couple's chemistry remains strong. However, the odd pacing and relentless Easter eggs leave the film feeling like its own fan cam edit, preventing Nick and Charlie from truly growing up.
Heartstopper Forever is now streaming on Netflix.
