Nick and Charlie’s story comes to a close in “Heartstopper Forever,” a Netflix film covering Volume 6 and the “Nick and Charlie” novella from author and creator Alice Oseman. While the adaptation is beautifully done, there are certain aspects making me wish they had stuck to a fourth season instead.  

I was very excited when the tv series was first announced back in 2021 and watched every season the moment they premiered on Netflix. I am a sucker for wholesome queer romance stories, and I read heartstopper first on Webtoon and then bought the volumes later on. 

“Heartstopper” is unique in the world of queer media as it strays away from the usual tropes and stereotyping where every gay character is killed off at some point (I despise the “bury your gays” trope). It is inclusive and upbeat, while not ignoring serious topics like mental health, eating disorders and homophobia. Something I appreciate about Oseman’s work is that these topics are not the forefront of the series and that it focuses more on relationships and growing up. 

Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) meet in forum (homeroom for Americans) at Truham Grammar School for Boys. Nick is a year older and is a popular kid who plays rugby, while Charlie enjoys drumming and art. Charlie is also one of the only openly gay students at school and deals with homophobic bullying by his peers. The two grow close and Charlie even joins the rugby team for Nick. After they start dating, Nick is the classic golden retriever boyfriend and very protective of Charlie. 

Both the series and the movie adds little doodles to moments that bring out its graphic novel roots. They also both feature a music filled soundtrack that showcases different artists. One of the bands is Wasia Project, an indie pop band composed of brother and sister, William Gao (who also plays Tao in Heartstopper) and Olivia Hardy. The Heartstopper official playlist from the tv series and movie is available through Spotify. 

The movie covers the gang’s last full year together before most of them graduate, leaving Charlie, Tao and Issac (Tobie Donovan) behind to finish their last year of school. The group struggles with the reality of what comes next. Most of the film focuses on Nick, who is applying to university and worries about being away from Charlie. 

I may be in the minority here, but I feel that having a fourth season instead would give more time to flesh out the arcs of other characters, who were glossed over in the movie and felt rushed to close everything out.

The biggest issue I had was with how they adapted “Nick and Charlie.” A major plot point in this novella was stretched out and dramatized in a way that I felt was unrealistic for the couple and took away from happier moments in Volume 6. 

Despite these issues, “Heartstopper Forever” still left me satisfied with how Nick and Charlie’s story plays out. I hope Oseman adapts more of her works in the future to bring these other characters to the screen. My personal hope is that Tori (Jenny Wasler) gets her book, “Solitaire,” adapted next. 

About the writer

Carissa Shellenberger cried the first time she watched the movie with her best friend. She also owns all 6 volumes and the 4 standalone novels and 2 novellas by Alice Oseman, preferring the covers of U.K. editions over the American ones.