---
title: "Heartstopper: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/heartstopper/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/tv/heartstopper"
critics_score: 83
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Heartstopper (2022): what the critics said

Critics' score 83 from 7 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative.

The reviews are warm and unusually consistent. Most critics find this adaptation of Alice Oseman’s graphic novels sweet, sincere and kind, and mean all three as praise: several set it against the bleaker run of teen dramas and prefer it for its optimism and its interest in care rather than cruelty. The praise clusters on tone and on the leads, with the chemistry between Kit Connor and Joe Locke singled out more than once, and the supporting cast credited with distinct, well-drawn characters. Its faithfulness to the source, comic-book flourishes included, is generally counted a strength.

The spread is narrow. The one mixed notice, from Radio Times, admires the ethos and the representation but finds too little plot or entertainment for anyone over sixteen, and thinks the series is aimed squarely at younger viewers. Nobody else presses the point, though a few concede the school dramas are minor. The disagreement is less about quality than about who the show is for.

## The Guardian

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 April 2022. 

The critic finds the Netflix adaptation of Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series an unutterably sweet and wholesome teen romance that leaves viewers with the sensation of a solid hug. It is praised for its comic-book fantasy elements, emotionally articulate protagonists and gentle handling of themes like bisexuality and queer support networks amid minor school dramas.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/22/heartstopper-review-alice-oseman-netflix-tv-drama)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Lovia Gyarkye

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 21 April 2022. 

The series offers a breath of fresh air with its earnest, sweet tone and focus on sincerity and care among queer teens, contrasting sharply with more nihilistic teen dramas. It constructs a coming-of-age story notable for its nourishing approach to familiar problems.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/heartstopper-review-alice-oseman-1235133418/)

## Radio Times

Rating 3/5. 14 April 2022. 

The critic admires the show's ethos and vital LGBTQ+ representation for teens but finds it lacks sufficient entertainment value or plot development for anyone over 16. The leads are sweet, with strong chemistry among supporting characters, but the series feels aimed squarely at young viewers.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/heartstopper-netflix-review/)

## Digital Spy — David Opie

Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 22 April 2022. 

The review hails it as one of the most important British shows, emphasizing its affirming portrayal of queer teen love and personal resonance for the critic.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a39660545/heartstopper-review-netflix-gay-queer/)

## Paste — Emily Maskell

Rating 8.8/10. 20 April 2022. 

Heartstopper offers a wholesome, engaging portrait of LGBTQ+ high school life with strong character distinctions and authentic representation across identities. Its direct adaptation from the graphic novels makes for one of the better page-to-screen transfers in recent years.

[Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/heartstopper/heartstopper-review)

## Den of Geek — Shawn Laib

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2022. 

The critic praises the series for its optimistic portrayal of queer teen romance and its handling of bullying with positivity and grace, highlighting how it offers a utopian vision for the LGBTQ+ community.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/heartstopper-tackles-lgbtq-bullying/)

## /Film — Shania Russell

Rating 8/10. 15 April 2022. 

The series is a sweet, heartwarming YA queer romance that excels due to the natural chemistry between leads Kit Connor and Joe Locke. It captures tender, awkward teen feelings with refreshing sincerity and warmth.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/833116/heartstopper-review-a-queer-romance-that-knows-exactly-how-to-make-your-heart-flutter/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/heartstopper.md