Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Heartstopper Forever continues the story of Nick (Kit Connor), Charlie (Joe Locke), and their friends as they transition from adolescents to adults.
Nick gets ready to move away to university and chooses Leeds as his top choice. As Charlie helps him with the application, Nick becomes nervous about moving so far away from Charlie. His nervousness causes him to become distant, which has a negative effect on Charlie, whose eating disorder resurfaces. And with that, the drama begins.
Some Thoughts:
Heartstopper Forever attempts to wrap up the romance between Nick and Charlie while ignoring the minor characters’ stories. However, despite Nick and Charlie being the main draw for the series, it’s the minor characters who make the series interesting. Elle (Yasmine Finney), Tao (William Gao), Darcey (Kizzy Edgell), Tara (Corrine Brown), and Isaac (Tobie Donovan) get brief mentions, but that’s about it. While I’m not too shocking about Isaac–the series has always ignored him–the others a bit surprising.
Since Nick and Charlie are the “perfect couple”, which is mentioned more than once, the drama surrounding them feels a bit forced. I wish the movie was more about the entire group of friends instead of focusing on the two with the fewest issues. I get that Nick and Charlie are the main characters, but Heartstopper 1-3 did a better job of incorporating the stories from the entire ensemble.
There are a few subplots (i.e. Charlie running for Head Boy and trying to start a Pride Club) that get thrown in to make things interesting, but so little time on them that we don’t care. Instead of adding interest for the viewer, they highlight how boring the central story is.
Acting, production values, cinematography are as good as the series. My only gripe is the focus and story. It’s a shame that a series that started so strong devolved into a dull, boring mess.
The Final Verdict:
Heartstopper Forever is only worth your time if you watched the series and feel the need to have things wrapped up.