Netflix’s massive catalog of content may seem never-ending, with multiple choices for everyone’s tastes. However, few shows are more pleasant and more gratifying than Heartstopper. Based on the beloved graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, the show has amassed a devoted fanbase thanks to its beautifully crafted LGBTQIA+ stories, relatable stories, and diverse cast of characters. Following the tender love story of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), it’s certainly a show many fans wish would go on forever, but after months of rumors and uncertainty, Netflix made the surprise announcement that the series would be wrapping, not with a fourth and final season, but a feature length movie. While it may be heartbreaking for fans of Heartstopper to say farewell to the story, ending it in a film offers the beloved saga to go out strong before the series risks losing what makes it so special.

Nick and Charlie’s Story Going Forward Works Better as a Movie

Throughout the series, Nick and Charlie’s arc has been touching to watch unfold. Starting out as an innocent “first love” story, their romance has become a beautifully complex and one of the best on-screen queer stories we’ve ever seen. Season 3, in particular, offered a number of challenges for the duo, including Charlie’s eating disorder. But there are certainly more challenges for them to face. The next chapter of Heartstopper is set up to continue the show’s tradition of exploring complexities. As Nick prepares to head to college, Charlie already has fears about being separated. While this is definitely a chapter the saga needs to explore, the idea of doing it over the course of a season could potentially hurt the show.

Season 3 already saw the young lovers experience separation while Nick was on vacation, and Charlie struggled with familial relations along the way. It made for great drama, sure, but it at least had the promise of Nick returning home sooner rather than later. Repeating the story on a larger scale with a more definitive separation, however, would be difficult to justify for Season 4. Worse, having the boys spend another theoretical series of episodes apart for a second year in a row would really hurt the joyous feeling that is at the show’s core. While Season 3 was fantastic, most audience members were eager for Nick to return home to Charlie because their dynamic is such an important part of the show.

However, using a self-contained format, such as the upcoming movie, to tell this story is a far better approach. We can enjoy the drama and challenges of the boy’s next chapter without the stress of it being dragged out across multiple episodes. After all, this is a show about togetherness, and we want to enjoy it with that promise. A finale film is a creative way for Heartstopper to avoid problems that have plagued other Netflix series.