Heartstopper Forever review: Bucketloads more queer joy from Netflix
Heartstopper Forever review and star rating: ★★★★
“Everyone thinks teenage relationships don’t last,” teases Joe Locke’s Charlie Spring in the feature length finale of Heartstopper. To be fair, they tend not to. But it’s not like these characters have ever been constrained by reality. Netflix’s LGBTQ teen romance series has always been dished with a side of fantasy: literal multicoloured sparks fly across the screen when couples kiss.
This pastel-hued utopia has provided vital representation for Gen Z and Millennial LGBTQ people. Locke, who is 22, says middle aged viewers are always thanking him for making the show they never had when they were growing up.
This final instalment, adapted from Alice Oseman’s books, compels as all three series did, and – yes – Nick and Charlie finally do more in the bedroom than sitting and snogging in their plaid shirts.
Heartstopper Forever nails the impossible, head-busting feeling of being young
Following a group of Sixth Form pupils at a fictional British high school, Heartstopper Forever captures the hideousness of being a teenager.
I only jest a little bit. The narrative of the film examines the melange of fear and excitement the students feel during their pre-university summer. Heartstopper Forever nails how impossibly knotty that period of life can feel.
With the group taking trips to fairgrounds, beaches and increasingly grown-up house parties, the teen ennui is set against the backdrop of Netflix’s predictably glossy high production sheen.
Heartstopper has always nailed the impossible, head-combusting feeling of being young. Charlie and Nick and their gang are experiencing the overwhelm of stepping into the ‘real world’: how aged 18, going inter-railing for a month feels like an indescribably huge life choice. How a two-hour train journey feels like an untenable step in the way of young love.
Kit Connor and Joe Locke – now both A-List Hollywood stars thanks to Heartstopper – relax convincingly back into these 18-year-olds. The supporting cast, which includes Yasmin Finney, have scaled back roles, but fans will be sated that each major former cast member makes an appearance.
Netflix show’s glossy sheen
Locke and Connor’s chemistry is still off the chain. Locke, who applied through an open casting call for this role and hasn’t been to drama school, has a less affected style than Connor, whose glazed-over-eyes-staring-into-the-middle-distance scenes reflect his classical training.
Oseman develops Nick in particular from something fairly linear to a man who wears his childhood trauma imperfectly; this time, the sugary-sweet nice guy has become a saboteur. As he loses himself, wide-eyed Charlie quietly combusts, and it’s compelling as hell.
Scenes showing how queer kids hide in teachers’ classrooms at lunchtime to avoid bullies feel sad but truthful. These seemingly minute observations are huge for anyone who’s been put in a similar situation. There’s nothing like being 15 and feeling unsafe, and doesn’t Oseman know it.
Oseman’s hilarious turn of phrase
She’s also no stranger for a hilarious turn of phrase. “In 30 years we’ll be middle aged, causing a scene at a drag brunch,” blurts Finney’s Elle Argent as the group prepare to head to their various universities.
The finale feels slightly contrived, but I didn’t care about that, and I suspect thousands of others won’t either. Locke and Connor’s megawatt success (Locke recently led West End show Clarkston, which CityAM awarded five stars) means this almost certainly is the end of Heartstopper, even if surprisingly it feels like there could be more in the tank.
Even if you don’t think the ending is realistic, who cares? It preserves these characters forever in aspic. Unbridled queer joy to return to again and again.
Heartstopper Forever is on Netflix from 17 July