By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *** RUNTIME: 114 minutes

‘Everyone says teenage relationships don’t last’ characters say to each other repeatedly in the apparent conclusion to this groundbreaking series seemingly foreshadowing its imminent Netflix demise.

• Read on for reasons including how this is a rushed goodbye rather than the 1 such a groundbreaking piece of TV and film deserves

Are there ever such things as soulmates the film asks following 3 seasons with its central characters Nick, played by Kit Connor the winner of 2022’s Best TV/Film Actor monsta, and Joe Locke’s (Clarkston, Trafalgar Studios) Charlie as their relationship is put to the test?

You join us in Nick’s final year at Truham Grammar School where he’s applying to Leeds University and Charlie has been elected head boy on an anti-bullying platform.

Fans of the 6 books in the series will note that it’s now bisexual rugby captain Nick who’s struggling with alcohol issues while Charlie’s eating disorder problems appear under control thanks to his therapist – and his confidence has been boosted as a result.

While Charlie is liaising with his art teacher played by Fisayo Akinade (Slave Play, Noel Coward Theatre) to provide the safe space for others he had while working out how he was different, Nick is panicking about uni being a 5-hour drive from Charlie and how their relationship might be affected.

1 of the triumphs of author Alice Oseman’s work is that the Heartstopper world is actually much richer and deeper than just Nick and Charlie which is why this apparent goodbye to them feels so rushed.

The couple are rightly the focus of Heartstopper Forever but there are other characters, particularly Yasmin Finney’s trans Elle, who it would be great to hear more from soon.

‘The word hates me right now,’ argues Elle as she implores her friends to join her on a Pride march and this does feel exactly the time to be hearing more about her story rather than putting this particular character to bed.

Similarly Charlie’s whipcrack-smart sister Tori is in a fascinating relationship with Darragh Hand’s (Dear England, National Theatre) Michael which feels ripe for further exploration yet here there is only a mild tease of its possibilities.

There are nice touches to admire in Forever – Derek Jacobi (Romeo And Juliet, Garrick Theatre) appears in the coffee shop where Charlie works to underscore what a longtime gay relationship could look like and Anna Maxwell Martin (so good recently in Star City, The Constituent, Old Vic) is a fine substitute for Olivia Colman as Nick’s mum.

Charlie’s work to help younger pupil Alfie and those like him and the uninhibited dancing of his gay teachers – including Nima Taleghani – is a joy yet underlining why we don’t want Heartstopper to end and Heartstopper Forever feels like a rushed goodbye rather than the fulfilling 1 such a groundbreaking piece of TV and film deserves.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy Heartstopper How to watch
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