‘Crush’ Is The Lesbian ‘Heartstopper’, With One Important Difference
"Finally, a good lesbian movie that doesn't revolve around homophobia and coming out."
If binging Heartstopper has already left a queer hole in your heart, then the new rom-com Crush might just be what you need.
The new teen movie is making waves for a queer love story that has nothing to do with main characters being in the closet, feeling anxiety over their sexuality, or coming out to their parents (not that there’s anything wrong with that). These girls are lesbians from the word go, which means that they can get into the more important business of getting into a messy love triangle.
The film centres on Paige (Rowan Blanchard), an unathletic artist who joins her high school track team to get closer to Gabby (Isabella Ferreira), the girl she’s had a crush on for years. But all hell breaks loose when heir coach assigns AJ Campos (Auliʻi Cravalho) to give Paige some one-on-one training. Hmm, I think I can see where this is going.
The movie only just dropped Disney+, but audiences are already finding it refreshing to watch a queer teen movie that doesn’t hinge on characters struggling with their sexuality or dealing with homophobia.
I just love how the coming out processing isn’t a story line and it’s just about stupid little queers falling in love #CrushMovie pic.twitter.com/wzkIYbGxqM
— k (@intoxicatedaf_) April 29, 2022
People are also thanking the universe for giving us Crush in the same week we got Heartstopper — a teen rom-com about two boys falling in love at a Grammar school in the UK.
when they show bi characters in bi lighting >>>#Heartstopper #CrushMovie pic.twitter.com/WQHy2ao22l
— elara ? (@nightflight_27) April 30, 2022
nothing like gay protagonists day dreaming about their crushes so bad that everything in the background goes away #CrushMovie #heartstopper pic.twitter.com/t57CRdPabr
— hailey ? (@haileycherone) April 30, 2022
we got them in one week #Heartstopper #CrushMovie pic.twitter.com/0mcJSH6YuQ
— māi (@l0vemaii) May 1, 2022
Crush is Sammi Cohen’s directorial debut. It’s written by Kristen King and Casey Rackham, who wanted to tell a teen love story inspired by their own experiences. The film also features a stellar supporting cast, including Aasif Mandvi as Coach Murray, Michelle Buteau as Principal Collins, and Megan Mullally as Paige’s mum.
Watch the trailer below.
Crush is streaming now on Disney+.