Heartstopper
I was completely unaware of Heartstopper, the new Netflix original launching on April 22nd, based on the webcomic turned graphic novel series by the fantastic Alice Oseman. Netflix sent over an email asking if I would like to review, and before really reading much about it, I said yes. I am so glad that I did.
Let me first say this. Heartstopper is one of the best queer series I have ever seen. From the casting, cinematography, writing, directing, and especially the tone, this is a huge winner for Netflix.
Written by Oseman and directed by Euros Lyn (Sherlock, Doctor Who) and executive produced by Patrick Walters at See-Saw Films, Heartstopper is the story of Charlie and Nick who meet at an all-boys school, become friends, and quickly discover a romance is blossoming between them.
The series does so many things right, but perhaps the best thing is its casting. Heartstopper stars Kit Connor (Rocketman, His Dark Materials), Joe Locke, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Corinna Brown and Kizzy Edgell. ACTUAL TEENAGERS!
As much as I enjoy films Alex Strangelove, Dramarama and series (well…the first season, at least) Love, Victor…even Euphoria, Heartstopper is a revelation in casting. Kit Connor and Joe Locke in particular are so good at portraying not only the sparks of budding love (literal sparks, which I’m quite sure Oseman had a hand in!) but also the confusion of it all.
Heartstopper also expertly portrays the trauma and pain that can still, in 2022, occur from being one of the only out kids in school with both Locke’s Charlie and Yasmin Finney’s fabulous Elle.
Most of these young actors are relatively new to film and you would not know it from what we see on screen. These performances do not read like nonactors, a trend I have tired of for some time. They are complicated and nuanced, vulnerable and emotional. Perhaps because they know first hand what it means to be young today.
The writing is also insanely wonderful. I don’t want to spoil the exact trajectory of Nick and Charlie’s relationship, but there are so many great moments of dialogue (“gay crisis,” “I love liking you”) that feel so honest and truly original.
I don’t want to discount the many coming out stories that I have loved over the years, but with Heartstopper it suddenly feels like it’s the first time we are hearing the actual words that teens would express while coming to terms with their identity and sexuality, particularly in this modern time.
The timing of this show could not be more important as well. Especially with the message coming from all sorts of places that expressing queerness is something we simply don’t do at an early age.
Although this show struck my heart in such a wonderful way, it also feels as if it was made for those exact teens being told their identity doesn’t matter. It does. It absolutely does.
Watch this incredible show on April 22nd. And watch it again. Share it with everyone you know because it will absolutely warm the heart.