‘Heartstopper’ finale film proves how queer teenage relationships can last forever

In the past years, viewers have witnessed how Nick and Charlie have developed in their relationship and have embraced their queerness throughout their teens.

Charlie had been the focal point of the last season and showed how he was able to deal with anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder with the help of his family, friends and especially his boyfriend.

Nick was integral to how Charlie was able to cope with his mental health. Viewers were able to see his point of view and how it would make them take a step further in their relationship.

With “Heartstopper Forever,” Nick and Charlie will show how a queer relationship that sparked in their teens can last a lifetime.

Bigger Hurdles

After overcoming his struggles, Charlie is determined to be the next head boy of Truham Grammar School.

With his vision for equality, he’s able to win 61 percent of the votes, but this development questions Nick’s role in his partner’s life.

As he goes to college, Nick has always put Charlie in the matter and wants to choose a school near them.

However, Elle (Yasmin Finney) advises him to prioritize himself first and choose what he really wants.

After seeing a queer rugby player in the university, Nick is determined to go to the University of Leeds.

Charlie is supportive despite the distance, but they are faced to have a talk after Elle and Tao (William Gao) decide to break up due to recurring distance issues.

It leads Nick and Charlie in a confrontation, and for the first time, they break up.

Bigger Responsibilities

Being single leads Charlie to relapse and not eat again.

Tao and Elle have a truce to go to their friend, along with Isaac (Tobie Donovan), and comfort him.

After Charlie feels better, Elle asks him to go to the Pride March, but the former becomes hesitant with the possibility of seeing his ex-boyfriend.

Elle gives Charlie a pep talk about why trans people need him to be at Pride March and to set aside personal matters first.

Charlie has been convinced and joined the protest along with their other friends.

When they go to a gay bar, Charlie sees Nick with a girl, and the former couple stare at each other with their past rolling in their heads.

Later on, Charlie is working at a café and encounters an old gay couple telling reassuring words to each other.

The old gay couple’s care for each other reaffirms his love for Nick, and he later on finds a camera with their photos.

He develops all the pictures and meets with Nick at the beach, where they first had their vacation and made amends.

How Things End?

While Nick and Charlie’s story will take on a new journey, their friends have also made new developments in their lives.

While Elle pursues her studies in Berlin, Tao is still determined to pursue and follow her.

Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) has embraced being non-binary, and after Tara (Corinna Brown) has not been accepted into Oxford University, they try to go interrailing together.

Sahar (Leila Khan) pursues a solo music career with Imogen (Rhea Norwood) by her side, embracing her sexual identity as bisexual.

Tori (Jenny Walser) admits to her brother, Charlie, that she is asexual and her love interest, Michael (Darragh Hand), has been accepted into the ice-skating team for the Winter Olympics.

Isaac is now firm that he is asexual and aromantic. He promises to document all their stories and write them in his book as he pursues being an author.

Nick goes to the University of Leeds, pursuing a degree in psychology, with Charlie going to him as they push through a long-distance relationship.

From the beginning “Heartstopper” has proven how queerness can be explored at a very young age.

It can be developed and embraced with the right support from your friends and family.

As the show concludes with the film, “Heartstopper Forever” is a testament to how being queer is not just a phase.

Being queer is embracing who you are, and you can have a life, a relationship, a family the same as heterosexual couples.

Nick and Charlie show how that is possible, and they will fight for their love against all odds.

— Josiah Antonio