Prime Video’s highly anticipated live-action God of War series has hit a major setback, as star Ryan Hurst will no longer portray Kratos following a serious injury sustained during production.

According to a report from Deadline, Hurst tore his bicep while performing a stunt on set in Vancouver. The injury required surgery, and with an extended recovery expected, the production has made the difficult decision to recast the iconic Spartan warrior rather than wait for the actor to return.

The decision reportedly comes after several episodes had already been completed. As a result, scenes featuring Hurst as Kratos will need to be reshot once a replacement is cast, adding another delay to one of Prime Video’s biggest upcoming adaptations.

Hurst was announced as Kratos earlier this year, bringing an interesting connection to the franchise after previously providing the voice and motion capture performance for Thor in God of War Ragnarök. His casting was met with excitement from fans, especially after first-look images showcased his transformation into the legendary Ghost of Sparta.

God of War [sony entertainment]

The series, developed by Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Television, and PlayStation Productions, is based on the acclaimed 2018 God of War video game. It follows Kratos and his son Atreus as they embark on an emotional and dangerous journey across the Nine Realms to fulfill the final wish of Kratos’ late wife, Faye.

The cast also includes Callum Vinson as Atreus, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Ed Skreinas Baldur, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Max Parker as Heimdall, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Danny Woodburn as Brok, and Jeff Gulka as Sindri. Ronald D. Moore serves as showrunner, with the series already receiving a two-season order before filming began.

No replacement actor has been announced, and there is currently no updated release window for the series. Production is expected to resume once a new Kratos has been cast and the previously completed scenes are reshot.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 28 seconds ago

Stephen King and “light-hearted sci-fi procedural” don’t sound like they go together, and honestly, Haven, a SyFy original series, is only loosely based on a King novella, The Colorado Kid. The book is about a mysterious death in a small town in Maine investigated by two local newspaper reporters, while the series includes a mysterious death but surrounds it with a town full of supernatural events that defy explanation.

If Buffy and NCIS got together and had a kid, it would be this show, which is impossible to take seriously but is one of the lightest, breeziest binge-watches available today.

The Troubles

The town of Haven has been beset by what the residents refer to as “The Troubles,” a sudden burst of paranormal activity that manifested in strange powers taking hold of citizens. A typical “Case of the Week” format centers around something strange, from mysterious murders in the dead of night to an earthquake or a pyrokinetic on the loose. Investigating these cases is the new-in-town Audrey Parker (played by Emily Rose), joined by local officer Nathan Wournos (Lucas Bryant), and starting in Season 2, WWE Hall of Famer Edge aka Adam Copeland, and what starts simple (for a strange outburst of superpowers) quickly spirals into a generations-spanning mystery.

It takes a while for the big picture to become clear, and by then, the show has gone wildly off the rails into secret organizations, different dimensions, and the same people playing their own evil twins in the most soap opera twist possible. Yet even The X-Files and Battlestar Galactica ended up losing the plot in their final seasons, and at least with Haven, it’s a fun ride to get to the end.

The Last Of Its Generation

And there is an ending. Haven aired for five seasons on SyFy, telling a complete story between all of the “Case of the Week” episodes, bottle episodes (an early one paying homage to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is a standout), and a parade of guest stars. Among the familiar faces that pass through the town are Colin Ferguson (from the SyFy series Eureka), William Shatner, Edge’s best friend forever and world’s greatest Dad, Christian, aka William Reso, 90s heartthrob Jason Priestly, and Battlestar Galactica’s Michael Hogan.

I was a sucker for this generation of SyFy originals, from Eureka and Warehouse 13 to Sanctuary and Haven, for being light, easy watches that don’t demand much of the viewer. The equivalent of a bag of potato chips, none of these shows will fill you up or have deep, philosophical messages to get across, but what they are is incredibly entertaining from start to finish. Of course, as SyFy originals, the crew had to get creative with their budgets, and the shows can look a little … cheap … compared to the million-dollar streaming shows of today, but that’s part of the charm.

You can’t compare Haven to a straight Stephen King series adaptation like Rose Red, Castle Rock, or The Stand, even though it is filled with small references to his vast catalog of work, but it’s also still better than The Langoliers and Under the Dome. If you’re in the mood for a new sci-fi show to binge, you can stream it for free on several platforms, including YouTube, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video, and The CW. It’s also streaming ad-free on Peacock if you have a subscription.

Y’all! Jessie James and D’Lila Star Combs are opening up about their bond with their father, Sean “Diddy” Combs, as the family navigates a major new chapter. In their first interview since Diddy’s conviction and sentencing, the twins shared insight into their relationship with the music mogul and how they continue leaning on family during difficult moments.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Sounds OFF After Diddy’s Name Pops Up Amid Reports Of Trump’s Latest Pardons

Combs Twins Say Diddy Is Focused On Growth

During an exclusive interview with ET’s Nischelle Turner, Jessie and D’Lila Combs revealed that their father is focused on “becoming a better man for his family” following his legal troubles. A source also told ET that Diddy has apologized to his daughters for his behavior shown in the Cassie assault video.

When asked about their current relationship with their father, the twins said they remain very close, sharing that he continues to give them advice they value. Jessie and D’Lila also explained that as they build their new clothing brand, they often turn to Diddy for guidance because they believe his advice is always right.

Combs Twins Share Thoughts On Diddy As A Father

During the conversation, Jessie and D’Lila said their father’s focus has been on personal growth and being there for his family. When asked what kind of dad Sean “Diddy” Combs is, the twins described him as “an amazing dad” and “the best dad,” while also saying he is not a strict parent.

The sisters shared that their siblings and family have helped them get through challenging moments, emphasizing the importance of staying connected as they move forward. They also said Diddy has continued to be present in their lives and offer support as they pursue their own goals.

Social Media Sounds Off On Interview

Folks quickly flooded Entertainment Tonight’s Instagram comment section with reactions to Jessie and D’Lila Combs’ interview about their father, Diddy. Some commenters praised the twins as “sweet girls” and said they should not face judgment for their father’s actions, while others questioned their statements about their relationship with Diddy. Some users also challenged the idea that Diddy “gives the best advice,” saying the comment felt like a stretch given the circumstances surrounding his legal case.

One Instagram user @muvi_starr said, “They are not their father! Let these babies live and make their own mark! Would you want to be judged bc of your parents..ijs lol ..😂”

This Instagram user @alicewonderland9797 claimed, “After all what Diddy did to sit there and praise him feels weird. And wrong.”

And, Instagram user @maryamimraheal wrote, “I was all supportive until she said their relationship is GREAT”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @viva_signature_studio added, “At the end of the day he might be a bad man outside but to them he’s the best dad ever so we can’t take that away from them.”

While Instagram user @drbdermatology shared, “They are kind sweet mature young women who are paving their own path”

Lastly, Instagram user @martinseempa commented, “‘He gives best advice’😂😂😂😂😂”

RELATED: Whew! Christian & Justin Combs Spark Strong Reactions With Father’s Day Messages For Diddy (VIDEO)

Straight from the horse’s mouth! Run Fast Racing founder Adam Kluger sat down with ET ahead of his horse racing event in Del Mar, California, on Saturday, July 25, to share how people can buy into a racehorse ownership group alongside Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty, and more.

Kluger launched the venture after discovering horse racing as a teenager.

“I started to love it when I was around 16 years old. I used to sneak into the track in Tampa with my best friend to bet on the races. Once I got a bit older and learned all that goes into it, the beauty of it all was very evident,” he shares.

“I’m a huge sports guy, and I can confidently say no live sporting event is more fun than horse racing as an owner. It’s an unreal experience,” the entrepreneur adds.

Memberships start at $100 a month and include owners box privileges, behind-the-scenes barn visits, voting rights on key stable decisions, and Direct Pay.

“Del Mar is an amazing experience. The entire meet is a party. … There is nothing better. … All Run Fast Racing users get free entry and access into the Run Fast Racing owners lounge on the 3rd floor. Not to mention hopefully a few trips into the winners’ circle,” he says.

Bringing A-list talent into the fold was a natural fit for Kluger, who previously worked in artist management and partnerships with Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé.

“Anyone that isn’t a multi-millionaire has historically been boxed out. We decided we didn’t like that and wanted to make it accessible to everyone,” the CEO explains.

“Celebrities, much like anyone else, go to the racetrack once, experience it, and immediately fall in love. Not to mention the fact that the paydays are very good,” Kluger quips.

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“Every movie has a hero. This one has them all,” brags the tagline for The Expendables, star and writer-director Sylvester Stallone‘s action-packed ass-kicker. Boasting an all-star cast — and featuring cameos from Bruce Willis (Die Hard, The Fifth Element) and Stallone’s longtime rival Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator, Predator), his first on-screen collaboration with the Rocky and Rambo star — Lionsgate’s 2010 franchise launcher assembles some of the biggest action heroes of the ’80s and ’90s alongside genre fan favorite Jason Statham (The Transporter, the Fast & Furious movies).

Stallone and Statham lead a cast of Hollywood he-men that includes actual He-Man Dolph Lundgren (Masters of the Universe, The Punisher), Terry Crews (Gamer, Deadpool 2), former UFC fighter Randy Couture, and legendary martial artist Jet Li (Once Upon a Time in China, War), with WWE superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin as wrestler-turned-henchman Dan Paine and Mickey Rourke (Get Carter, Iron Man 2) as Tool, the Expendables’ cowboy hat-clad tattoo artist.

The R-rated action movie follows the titular team of elite mercenaries — group leader Barney Ross (Stallone), knife-throwing Lee Christmas (Statham), martial artist Yin Yang (Li), weapons specialist Hale Caesar (Crews), and demolition man Toll Road (Couture) — on a clandestine mission to the Gulf island of Vilena, where they must take out rogue CIA agent James Munroe (Eric Roberts).

Where to Watch The Expendables Streaming Free

Image via Lionsgate

You can stream The Expendables for free without a subscription here on Pluto TV. If you’re looking for a series you can binge-watch right now, all four Expendables movies — including 2012’s Expendables 2, 2014’s Expendables 3, and 2023’s Expend4bles — are available to watch on Pluto TV and Paramount+ (subscription required).

The Stallone and Statham-led sequels added such names as Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Glen Powell, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey, Megan Foxx, Liam Hemsworth, 50 Cent, Kelsey Grammer, Mel Gibson, Andy Garcia, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, and Harrison Ford.

Will There Be an Expendables 5?

Image via Lionsgate

Expendables 4 was the end of an era for Stallone: the actor, who also co-wrote the first three films in the series, stepped away from the franchise as he handed the reins over to Statham after playing a smaller role in Expend4bles. (Spoiler alert: Barney appeared to die in a fiery crash — presumably so that Stallone didn’t have to lead a movie titled “Expend4bles,” maybe the worst-named movie since Fant4stic — only to reveal he faked his death.) As Jacob Scipio‘s Galan puts it: “Only you could walk away from a blazing inferno with not a scratch on you.”

Just as the first Expendables ended with the cigar-chomping, motorcycle-riding group of mercs riding off to the tune of the Thin Lizzy song “The Boys Are Back in Town,” Expend4bles brought Stallone’s time with the series to an end with the very same song. To borrow a phrase from Schwarzenegger: Stallone won’t be back. In a 2021 Instagram post, Stallone announced he was “moving on” from The Expendables after wrapping the fourth movie.

“It’s always bittersweet when something you’ve been so attached to, I guess, now it’s been about 12 years,” Stallone said in the video, adding he was “ready to pass the baton on to [Statham] and his capable hands.” Stallone’s last directorial effort was the 2010 original, which launched the franchise that has grossed a collective $840 million at the global box office. Stallone’s Expendables opened at #1 with $34.8 million in 2010, but the Scott Waugh-directed Expend4bles flopped after an $8 million opening weekend in 2023; the film proved to be expendable at the box office with a final tally of just $51.1 million worldwide.

The Expendabelles, a “female-driven expansion” of the franchise, is in the works from Eclectic Pictures (2025’s Red Sonja) and Hollywood Ventures Group. Producer Heidi Jo Markel has described the Expendables spinoff as “a stylized, action-driven cinematic event designed to expand the mythology of the franchise while standing firmly on its own,” one that will “introduce a bold new generation of elite operatives into this universe.”

The Expendables is streaming now on Pluto TV and Paramount+.

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Release Date

August 13, 2010

Runtime

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103 minutes

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Y’all! Jim Jones is officially entering a new chapter, and the milestone came with plenty of love from those closest to him. The rapper recently celebrated his 50th birthday surrounded by family and friends, with his longtime partner, Chrissy Lampkin, helping make the occasion one to remember.

RELATED: Whew! Jim Jones’ Reaction To Chrissy Lampkin’s SPICY Swimsuit Photos Has Fans Debating About An Engagement Ring

Jim Jones Gets Emotional During Birthday Surprise

Videos circulating on social media show Jim Jones walking into what appeared to be a surprise birthday party, where his loved ones welcomed him with cheers while recording the special moment on their phones. Looking visibly caught off guard, Jones made his way through the room before embracing Chrissy and thanking everyone for coming out to celebrate him.

Jim Jones Reflects On Reaching 50

For the celebration, the Dipset rapper rocked white pants, a red-and-white shirt, a matching red headband, and several layered chains as festive balloons filled the room behind him. During a brief speech, Jones reflected on reaching the milestone, telling guests that for someone like him to “make it to 50” was an “accomplishment.” He also credited his family and “his woman” for helping him reach the moment, saying he couldn’t have done it without them. The celebration continued with guests singing “Happy Birthday” as a cake topped with glowing “50” candles was brought out to mark the occasion.

Social Media Has Plenty To Say

Folks quickly flooded The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section with reactions to Jim Jones’ birthday celebration. While plenty of users showed Chrissy love and praised how good she looked, others agreed with Jones’ remarks that reaching 50 is truly an accomplishment. Meanwhile, a few commenters couldn’t help but joke about the laid-back kickback, poking fun at the intimate vibe of the celebration.

One Instagram user @mbrenee said, “Has he married that girl yet ? Cuz if not gtfoh grandpa 👴🏾”

This Instagram user @thewashfam added, “I thought this was a young lady walking in with her grandfather 😂😂😂😂 HBD JIM😂”

And, Instagram user @heyjohneaaa commented, “Chrissy looks tf good 😍😍😍”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @yeaaaloso joked, “D*mn bro had kickback for his 50th lmao”

While Instagram user @mokkkkkablakk shared, “One thing his family do is celebrate each other😍😍😍”

Finally, Instagram user @blaqbuety wrote, “Making it to 50 is a huge blessing…. Keep it cute. 🎊🎯”

RELATED: Sheesh! Fans Say Chrissy Lampkin Is “Aging Backwards” After Slaying In Curve-Hugging Look (VIDEO)

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” finally hit cinemas on Friday, and its first reactions have ranged from glowing praise to fierce criticism online.

The film, which had already sparked the ire of some fans over its casting choices, was tipped to drive the MAGA faithful “completely insane.”

Nolan had already dismissed the pre-release backlash in an interview, calling such conversations “irrelevant” and saying he had learned not to be bothered by them after his experience with “Batman.”

Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic “The Odyssey” landed in cinemas on Friday, July 17. However, the initial reactions have not been entirely rosy, with some viewers taking issue with what they believe are alterations to the plot, as well as the ship and armor designs.

The $250 million epic was always likely to dive headlong into cultural and political crosswinds, mainly because of its casting. However, some viewers also highlighted several alleged “historical inaccuracies.”

Some Greeks even accused the filmmaker and Hollywood of being the “real racists and enemies of the West,” pointing to the film opening “by showing an African rapper [Travis Scott] with rasta in the role of a Greek poet.”

“We Greeks are forced to watch our Greek history and culture being disgraced and mocked across the entire world. What is Nolan’s real role in doing something like this, rather than casting a Greek person who speaks Greek? What’s the purpose of casting someone with rasta in the Greek world?” an X user wrote.

Nolan’s Casting Of Lupita Nyong’o Fueled Heated Debate

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Nolan’s decision to cast Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra remained a major point of contention among critics who focused on Helen’s description as the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology and “the face that launched a thousand ships.”

As one critic put it, “Black Helen is a flagrant assault on European beauty—and every white person instinctively knows this.”

Others slammed the movie as a “humiliation ritual,” while some argued that the use of American English and modern dialogue weakened the ancient setting.

Major Critics Celebrate Nolan’s Bold Adaptation

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Meanwhile, Nolan received considerable praise for other elements of the film, with viewers applauding its “beautiful cinematography” and the “superb” performances from Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and their co-stars.

Fans also praised Elliot Page’s appearance as Sinon, saying his character “serves as a brutal lesson for Odysseus, and it is one he carries throughout the remainder of the movie.”

The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw gave the film a perfect rating, describing it as a production “with thrilling ambition, boldness, seriousness, generosity and flair. There are some broad-brush moments in the dialogue, yes, but even these are applied with a muscular flourish.”

New York Times critic Manohla Dargis highlighted Nolan’s passion for cinema, calling it “one of the most Nolan of Nolan spectacles in its thematic concerns, formal playfulness, kinetic thrills and unabashed showmanship.”

Christopher Nolan’s Epic Expected To Rattle The Right

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The film was tipped to drive the right “completely insane,” particularly because of its changes to several ancient themes, according to Vanity Fair.

For months, conservatives such as Elon Musk lambasted the project on social media, with the founder of SpaceX claiming Nolan had “desecrated the Odyssey so that he would be eligible for an Academy Award.”

The right was also said to be in a “transphobic tizzy” over Page’s casting as Sinon, the Greek soldier responsible for convincing the Trojans to bring the giant wooden horse inside their city.

Other talking points focused on comparisons between the Spartans’ fear that unspecified “people from the sea” were invading their country and destroying their way of life and the real-world “conspiratorial anxieties” voiced by figures such as Musk.

Criticism that the film was not “historically accurate” was also dismissed as “ridiculous,” given that it tells a story involving “gods and monsters, and gorgeous women who hatched out of eggs.”

Christopher Nolan Dismisses Backlash As ‘Irrelevant’

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Meanwhile, Nolan has since fired back at Musk and other critics over their pre-release attacks, calling them “irrelevant.”

“Comes with the territory,” he said, per The Telegraph. “But look, these conversations that happen before people see the film — they’re always irrelevant, because no one having them knows what the film actually is yet.”

Nolan also acknowledged that adapting such a famous epic in the current cultural climate was bound to draw strong reactions, but said he had learned not to let the criticism bother him.

“Remember, I spent ten years of my life dealing with Batman. When I came on ‘Begins,’ writers and artists had been working on this beloved character for almost 65 years, and a lot of freighted thoughts were out there about what he represents,” he explained.

“And what I learned over my time on that trilogy is you can’t worry about any of that at all. What you have to do is honor the original text by interpreting it in the strongest way you personally can,” he added.

Taylor Momsen is grieving the loss of her former security guard, Mason Haynes, who also worked for the Kardashians.

Haynes died at age 52 on July 4, per a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his family and cover his funeral costs.

“I’ve struggled for days and still am not sure how to process this. Mason Haynes was my family, my protector, my confidant and one of my closest friends,” Momsen, 32, wrote alongside a series of throwback photos of her and Haynes via Instagram on Wednesday, July 15.

The Gossip Girl alum continued, “When someone knows every dark secret about you and never judges, spends 24 hours a day with you seven days a week, you form a bond that is hard to explain. He was a powerful giant with the softest heart of anyone I knew. Smart as a whip, artistic and most importantly he was always putting others needs first. His advocacy against bullying ran deep within him.”

“I will miss him in a way I can’t explain. My love to his family who meant more than the world to him. If you can, please donate to the gofundme in my story to support this immense loss so many people I know are feeling,” wrote Momsen.

She concluded, “I love you Mason, I can’t believe I’ll never hear your voice again. You were truly one of a kind. Hold your loved ones close and don’t take a minute for granted. Love to you all xxt.”

Haynes died following a “tragic road traffic accident” that occurred “two days before what would have been his 53rd birthday,” per the GoFundMe page set up in his honor.

“He leaves behind his devoted wife Fay, his daughter Brooke, his son Noah, a loving family, and an extraordinary circle of friends spread across the world,” the page read.

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The description of the fundraiser described the security guard as a “man who made people feel welcome from the moment they met him. A man who would cross countries to help a friend. A man who never let a loved one down and who saw the deep qualities in people that others often overlooked.”

“A protector. A mentor. A prankster. A giant in every sense of the word, with an even bigger heart,” the page added.

As well as Momsen, Haynes worked with Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Lewis Hamilton and more throughout his career. He was part of Kardashian’s security detail when she was robbed at gunpoint in a Paris apartment in October 2016.

One of Netflix‘s biggest shows of the decade is coming to a close, but not without a little bit of drama. Heartstopper originally followed the blossoming relationship between two high school students, Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke), and over the course of three seasons, viewers have watched their love grow, as well as their own understanding of who they are. Two years after the last season aired, the show will be wrapping up with a feature-length finale, Heartstopper Forever. Many shows have stumbled at the final hurdle, so does this sweet and sensitive YA drama give fans the ending they’ve hoped for?

What Is ‘Heartstopper Forever’ About?

Heartstopper Forever opens with Nick affectionately watching Charlie make his pitch to become head boy at his school, delivering the speech that will win him the election. This new responsibility allows him to try to make a difference for younger children, particularly LGBTQ+ kids, but enacting real change is proving harder than he thought. Meanwhile, rugby-loving Nick is facing his final year at school and preparing to leave for a university that will take him hours away from the one he loves.

Nick and Charlie’s respective fears of the future pile up, resulting in a lack of communication that threatens to tear them apart. With first loves rarely lasting, can theirs be the exception? The film is written by Alice Oseman, the author of the original graphic novels, and is based on the sixth and final volume in the series, as well as aspects of the 2015 novella Nick & Charlie. While a fourth season had been planned to finish the series, viewing figures and contractual obligations reportedly pushed Netflix to truncate this last chapter into a movie.

‘Heartstopper Forever’ Is a Breathless Celebration of the Netflix Series

Image via Netflix

Heartstopper‘s feature-length ending is 114 minutes, which, when considering the show’s average runtime, equals around three and a half episodes. Given that the first three seasons had eight episodes apiece, it leaves Heartstopper Forever feeling rushed to wrap things up. This mainly comes at the expense of the supporting cast, who are all present but don’t earn much of an arc. Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao) struggle with a relationship that has more downs than ups, but their journey hums in the background of Nick and Charlie’s story, rather than getting its own spotlight.

Equally, Isaac (Tobie Henderson) seems at peace with his asexual identity, but mostly supports his fellow characters rather than evolving himself. It is undoubtedly nice to see these returning faces, and they keep the warmth around the friendship group alive, but you can’t shake the feeling that the finale’s format leads to them being pushed aside. Eddie Marsan also returns from Season 3 as Charlie’s therapist, although again more as a brief cameo than anything substantial. Meanwhile, Nick’s mother, Sarah, is now played by Anna Maxwell Martin (replacing original actor Olivia Colman), who appears in a brief but loving couple of scenes that reflect the support in his life.

The supporting ensemble’s sacrifice is not in vain, however, as Nick and Charlie ultimately get the send-off they deserve in Heartstopper Forever with a beautiful portrayal of two people struggling to accept that they deserve happiness, as well as grappling with the fear that the upcoming life changes will ruin what they have. That desperately awkward phase of life, where you leave childhood but aren’t quite ready to be an adult, is pitched perfectly, albeit to the backdrop of impossibly glamorous house parties and a gentle soundtrack. It’s a tender evolution of a bond that has grown from innocent flushes of romance to a serious adult relationship. If you’ve been with these characters from the start, there are plenty of callbacks to the moments that made their journey so special, and while Heartstopper itself could never be accused of being edgy, their respective traumas are treated with sincerity.

‘Heartstopper Forever’ Addresses LGBTQ+ Struggle Without Glamorizing Suffering

There was a time in media when very few LGBTQ+ characters existed in shows, and the few that did make it to the screen rarely earned the same happy endings as their straight counterparts. Heartstopper may never have the shocking impact of something like Tip Toe or the raunchiness of Heated Rivalry, but it stands out by giving queer joy and struggle equal weight. The growing issue of transphobia in society is addressed beautifully through a vulnerable speech from Finney, while the scenes set during a Pride parade showcase the importance of community even in dark times. It’s an acknowledgment that while this may be a fairytale-like exploration of the LGBTQ+ experience, the obstacles that face the community, both young and old, can’t be ignored. In one rather gorgeous scene, which features a cameo from acting legend Derek Jacobi, it also suggests that being who you are is always worth fighting for.

Nick and Charlie also battle their respective demons, but it never feels as though their suffering is being wielded for entertainment. Connor, especially, plays Nick as someone at odds with who he is, both in terms of his past and his present. Nick’s inability to express his fears feels authentic without reveling in his pain, while Charlie’s issues surrounding disordered eating and self-harm are also handled with remarkable sensitivity. Rather than being reduced to shock value, these aspects of the characters foster empathy, thanks to a well-written script and performances from actors who know these roles very well. It would have been nice if their conclusion had been given more breathing room, but this finale makes sure you’re with them every step of the way.

While it does feel rushed at times, Heartstopper Forever ensures that the Netflix series concludes in the style it is known and loved for. Glossy, dramatic, but always big-hearted, it is the kind of teen drama that offers an idealized glimpse of the future for queer youth at a time when that is sorely needed. It may not be especially revelatory, but it serves as a feel-good conclusion for a beloved show that will no doubt be many people’s comfort watch for years to come.

Heartstopper Forever is now streaming on Netflix.

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Release Date

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July 16, 2026

Runtime

111 minutes

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Director

Wash Westmoreland

Writers

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Alice Oseman

Producers

Brett Thomas

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Cast

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Pros & Cons

• The movie has the warmth that made the series so popular.
• Kit Connor and Joe Locke deliver great performances.
• Serious topics are handled with sensitivity.

• The finale’s movie format leaves the story feeling rushed.
• Supporting characters don’t get as much time as you’d like them to have.

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