Netflix don release di final chapter of Heartstopper, di queer teen drama wey don capture hearts for worldwide. Di feature-length film wey dey called Heartstopper Forever na di end of di story wey start for 2022 with di graphic novel adaptation by Alice Oseman.
Di film follow Nick and Charlie, wey don now be 17 and 18 years old, as dem dey navigate university, gap years, and di wahala of adulthood. For di film, Nick dey struggle with alcohol because e no wan leave Charlie wey dey fragile, while Charlie dey face jealousy. Di stakes don higher, and di takes dey longer.
Kit Connor, wey play Nick, and Joe Locke, wey play Charlie, don yarn about how di show change dia lives. Locke talk say: ‘Heartstopper changed my life for every single way. I no go fit live for London at 22 without am. I no go dey do acting.’ Connor, wey also be 22, don change appearance with designer stubble and chunky silver rings.
Di film get more sex scenes, but dem no reach Euphoria level. Connor laugh say: ‘If I don get my way, I for don make Nick and Charlie cheat on each oda and do all dose stupid things. Because young people do dat and no need to be villainised for am.’ Locke add say: ‘E go be weird if we no don show am. Just because our show na more earnest version of queer representation no mean say sex no suppose show.’
Dem don become executive producers for di film, wey give dem more say for script edits. Connor talk say: ‘Heartstopper no be just Alice’s any more.’
Di show don face talk about falling viewing figures for season three, wey drop about 30% compared to season two. Locke no gree with di figure, e say: ‘I no know how true dat figure be, but di Heartstopper audience don loyal throughout.’ When we yarn about di hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people, Locke add say: ‘Dat make am more important. Wetin great na say Netflix dey everywhere.’
Heartstopper don always feel political, di way e dey spotlight queer representation and di joy of trans lives. Yasmin Finney, wey play Elle Argent, talk say: ‘Heartstopper na form of escapism for queer people. But I think e dey important to get realism as well as escapism. Because we still dey live for epidemic where trans people dey constantly ridiculed.’
Di film look to di future, but e also get sense of looking back. Nick and Charlie dey pore over old pictures of demselves as ‘babies’ and dey reminisce about dia youths. When we ask wetin advice dem go give dia younger selves, Locke talk say: ‘Just enjoy am.’ Connor look am like protective older brother and say: ‘I for talk something similar. E no suppose be scary. Heartstopper na one of di more beautiful things you fit ever do.’
Dem shoot dia final scenes together for Burnham Park for Buckinghamshire, a location wey don appear for di whole series. Locke smile and talk say: ‘E just be us two, wey be nice way to end am, like a very nice loving scene.’ Dem wonder if dem dey in denial about di whole enterprise being over. Connor talk say: ‘Dis press tour na way to tell your brain say: Oh yeah, e no don done yet.’
