3.5/5 stars.
As one of Netflix’s trendiest shows of the year so far, teen drama ‘Heartstopper’ has made a lasting impression on its viewers. The British TV show, adapted from Alice Oseman's graphic novels, stars debuting actors; Joe Locke and William Gao as well as rising star; Kit Connor. The plot focuses on high-schoolers Charlie and Nick who navigate a friendship that is fated to turn into something more. Ratings have already soared across online platforms as many audience members relate stories of their own youthful experiences to that of the characters’ — themes such as first relationships, the navigating of sexualities and gender expression and bullying are explored, and perhaps the show owes its success to some of the more tender moments that hit home for many young people today. With a critic rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s hard to find a bad review, but what exactly sets this coming-of-age story apart from other series like it?
The biggest brownie points can be awarded to the show’s authenticity among the LGBT+ community. With Oseman herself identifying as queer, she has managed to offer a realistic glimpse into not just the fairy-tale aspects of young people falling in love for the first time, but also the anxieties and prejudices many queer individuals and couples inevitably face along the way. While similar British series such as ‘Sex Education’ and ‘Skins’ have touched upon these elements in the past, it is fair to say there hasn’t been such a deep and exclusive examination of the community’s more troubling experiences mixed in with an otherwise optimistic storyline until now. And beyond such societal issues, the characters themselves can be praised; Nick and Charlie’s blooming relationship (the primary focus of the show) has the charm of being almost tangible in all its awkward and vulnerable moments. Unlike high-school dramas of the past which often presented teenagers as either social experts beyond their age, perfect relationship enthusiasts, or on a path to reckless self-destruction (and, of course, never under the supervision of their parents), ‘Heartstopper’ lets kids be kids.
However, a case can also be argued for a lack of engaging plot. While a refreshing new take on teenagers living out their everyday routines of school, hanging out with their friends and the occasional party might be relatable, it doesn’t always work so well on the big screen. When we are used to seeing scene after scene of exciting developments and emotionally turbulent exchanges in other media, the arguably more realistic execution can fall flat. The series suffers from predictability and a hint of repetition. Despite its look into otherwise complex issues, it’s clear to see there’s going to be a happily ever after — at least in the form of romances settling and friendships being mended. At worst, there is nothing revolutionary about the ending ‘love makes the world go round’ message it’s trying to send here. ‘Almost every remotely difficult conversation [is] neatly capped off with a healing smooch,’ writes David Craig in Radio Times (2022, a), citing the undemanding nature of conflict within the show.
The acting within the cast is a mixed bag. Viewers can expect a stellar performance from the Oscar-winning actress Olivia Coleman, despite her very minor part. Most of the actors are inexperienced when it comes to such serious roles, but it’s easy to forgive any slip-ups when you factor in their age. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the cast members were typically matched to their respective characters’ sexualities, meaning good news for more comfortable representation in the romance department. However, star Kit Connor who plays Nick has asked the public to respect his privacy when it comes to discussing his own attractions, saying on Twitter: ‘Apparently some people on [Twitter] know my sexuality better than I do’ (Schifano, 2022). He later elaborated in an interview that he wasn’t obligated to share such personal matters with the whole world if he wasn’t comfortable.
In a nutshell, ‘Heartstopper’s premise is sweet and fresh. With a younger audience perhaps more likely to find it appealing, its empathetic take on LGBT+ relationships is a welcome one when so many others in the film industry have repeatedly taken more unrealistic and sorrowful approaches to gay relationships. The first season is short and easy to binge-watch in a day; however, if you’re just looking for happy background noise, it fits the bill just as well.
by Morgan Forbes (IG: @morganforbesart)
Figure 1: ‘Heartstopper’ banner featuring Nick and Charlie, Netflix.
References
Craig, D. (2022, a). ‘Heartstopper review: It’s very sweet, but for young viewers only’, Radio Times [online]. Available at: https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/heartstopper-netflix-review/amp/ (Accessed 16/05/22).
Craig, D. (2022, b). ‘Meet the cast of Heartstopper, Netflix’s LGBTQ+ teen drama’, Radio Times [online]. Available at: https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/heartstopper-cast-netflix/ (Accessed 16/05/22).
Schifano, I. (2022). ‘This is what all the Heartstopper cast are actually like in real life’, The Tab [online]. Available at: https://thetab.com/uk/2022/05/06/heartstopper-cast-real-life-joe-locke-yasmin-finney-kit-connor-william-gao-corinna-brown-kizzy-edgell-250041 (Accessed 16/05/22).