Movie Reviews 2026: Heartstopper Forever, 23 000 Lives, Desire

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Movie Reviews 2026 – your indispensable guide to film.

This week’s edition follows hot on the heels of the most recent offering of Movie Reviews 2026 and is all about streaming. Three movies are up for review, and all can be found on Netflix.

Amongst the selection there’s inspirational drama via the German film, 23 000 Lives; and saucy shenanigans in Mexican erotic thriller, Desire. Plus, Netflix’s hit LGBTQ+ series, Heartstopper, comes to an end with a feature-length movie, Heartstopper Forever.

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Now streaming…

23 000 Lives (2026)

First up this week is the German drama, 23 000 Lives (aka 23 000 Leben). Directed by Markus Goller, and based on a true story, the film stars Louis Hofmann, Mala Emde, and Katharina Stark, and tells the story of a group of young men and women who buy a rescue boat to save the lives of refugees.

In the movie, it’s Summer 2015 and thousands of refugees are travelling across Europe to escape war. Initially they are welcomed with open arms, but after a while when the sheer number of refugees becomes overwhelming, the European Governments shut down the borders forcing thousands of desperate people to escape across the Mediterranean.

With no government rescue ships made available to help anyone in trouble, countless lives are lost. This horrifies young German man, Lukas Weiland, who conceives a plan to purchase a rescue boat to help them out.

Working alongside a collection of students who also feel strongly about the cause, Lukas sets out to buy a boat. And after achieving his goal, Lukas and his team set out to help those in distress.

But what started out as a valiant mission soon takes a significant turn. When lives are at stake, and world politics is in play, a good deed becomes more problematic than Lukas could ever imagine.

Before going any further with this review, let me just drop in a key quote from the movie:

“The thing is, I believe we can’t just wish for a just world and talk about it. You have to want to put those words into action.”

I’m placing this quote here to highlight one of the most important messages of 23 000 Lives. If we see injustice in the world, and we feel that something needs to change, we have to get off our asses and make it happen.

Despite the difficulties and hardships encountered by Lukas and his team, by working together and making a change, lives are saved. One person has an idea, he inspires others, and a difference is made.

This is something vital to take away from the film. People can make positive changes – don’t forget it.

Now, that said, 23 000 Lives isn’t just about daring rescues and crusades to improve the world. The film also looks at the realities of performing politically-charged sea rescues.

23 000 Lives isn’t a one-note, idealistic picture, where everything is sweet and light, the film is keen to show the flip-side. There are dangers in the water, there is in-fighting amongst the crew, and there are various opinions being tossed around about the ramifications of bringing refugees to Europe.

All of this takes a toll on Lukas and everyone he works with. 23 000 Lives is keen to highlight the importance of doing good deeds, but also making it clear there is more to it than just being a good person.

Even when taking the correct moral path there are no easy solutions. This shouldn’t deter anyone from trying, but embarking on this route does come with obstacles that may not be easily overcome.

And herein lies the strength of 23 000 Lives – The film’s ability to show the good, the bad, and everything in between. It doesn’t want to deter anyone from pushing forward, or from helping those who need it, but it does want to show the complexities and the extreme difficulties that come when enacting change.

There are also plenty of legal problems too, which can break even the most determined individual. But perseverance is paramount and doing the right thing is vital. 

With strong direction from Markus Goller, as well as a superb cast, including a stellar performance from Louis Hofmann (Dark, Centre of My World), 23 000 Lives is a compelling movie. It looks at the difficulties of performing a kind act, especially in the often hostile world we live in, and the importance of sticking to your principles.

Good deeds are rewarded and faith in humanity is restored. In a film which contains many messages, the one that stands out the most is to keep the faith and be a decent human being.

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Now streaming….

Desire (2026)

For the next movie it’s over to the Mexican erotic thriller, Desire (aka Deseo). Directed by Teresa Simone, and starring Ludwika Paleta, José María Yazpik, and Óscar Casas, the movie focuses on an affair between a married woman and a swimming instructor. 

In the film, Lucero and Fernando are married with two children. They’ve just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, and all should be well.

But it’s the age old story of the pair beginning to drift and the sex not being all that great that gets in the way. They’ve not done it in a while, and despite Lucero suggesting they spice things up in the bedroom with a third, Fernardo seems less keen, forcing Lucero to resort to some solo shower action to get her rocks off.

But things take a sudden turn when Lucero embarks on an affair with her daughter’s swimming instructor, Matías. The two get a little flirty, and between his muscles and her perfectly styled hair, passion ignites, and they both give each other a right ruddy seeing to.

Only problem is, when someone finds out about the affair and threatens to blackmail Lucero, she is forced to pull the plug. But as she attempts to end things with Matías, Lucero uncovers a troubling secret.

If you have a particular desire to watch a slightly saucy film about two people engaging in an affair, then Desire is likely to be for you. There are a few lingering looks, a bit of bonking, and some simmering tension here and there, and if this tickles your pickle then fair enough.

Sometimes all you want is a bit of sex. And if quick thrills and occasional dashes of heightened drama are your thing, then dive in.

But, do be warned, there’s not a great deal else on offer, and not even a second-act twist can do much to liven things up. OK, so the twist does reframe what has come before, but it’s not as revealing as it thinks it is, so don’t get too excited.

Is this a major problem? Not if you accept that this is a movie which at best is merely ‘fine’ and sometimes ‘fine’ is acceptable. Desire is the type of movie that moves along perfectly well enough, doing its thing and not bothering anyone, and for the most part it doesn’t upset the applecart. 

Of course, your mileage with Desire, or perhaps your desire for Desire, will vary greatly, depending on whether or not you’re bothered about sexual escapades, blackmail, and the idea that maybe everyone in the picture is a bit of a douche. But if you this sounds like a perfectly OK way to spend a couple of hours in front of the TV then have at it.

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Now streaming…

Heartstopper Forever (2026)

On to movie number three, the final new offering this week, and it’s over to teen LGBTQ+ drama, Heartstopper Forever. Directed by Wash Westmoreland, and starring Joe Locke and Kit Connor, the movie is both a continuation of the Heartstopper TV series, and an end point for the show.

Picking up during Nick’s final year of high school and while things are going well for Charlie and Nick, trouble is starting to appear on the horizon. Nick is applying for a university which put him hours away from Charlie, and his concerns about the distance are causing him to stress out.

This in turn is having an impact on Charlie, who has additional problems to contend with. He recently became Head Boy and is struggling to make a difference to the lives of queer students. 

When Heartstopper made its debut back in 2022, the initial season was TV gold. There was something truly special about the first foray into the Heartstopper world, and it became must-see viewing.

The two follow-up seasons didn’t have quite the same impact. They were decent enough, but they lacked the sparkle of what came before.

Heartstopper Forever takes a small step back in the right direction, with some interesting moments, as well as some important commentary on trans rights and the difficulties being faced by the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth. 

The movie also provides a decent send off for Nick and Charlie. There are a few hills to climb before the end, but there’s never any doubt that’ll all work out for the best, which is comforting. 

However, Heartstopper Forever is still not peak Heartstopper, and it’s difficult to shake the feeling this movie is Netflix’s way of wrapping things up as quickly as possible. Joe Locke and Kit Connor have already moved on to other projects, and have less availability than they once did, so this is sort of a quick full stop in lieu of another series.

The highlights are Locke and Connor who continue to shine, and there is much to like about the continued inclusivity on display. The film also feels a touch more mature than the series that came before, and it’s nice to see this conclusion has aged up with its core audience. 

On the opposite end of the scale, the lowlights are the pacing, which is a bit off, and the story which feels drawn out. The ‘will they stay together’, ‘won’t they stay together’ parts of the story feel a little redundant and do expect your attention span to be tested on occasion.

Heartstopper Forever runs to almost two hours in length and this is at least 20 minutes too long. Yes, it’s nice to spend time in the company of the characters, but a bit of editing here and there wouldn’t hurt. 

Heartstopper has had a good run, and remains a shinning jewel in the Netflix crown. This movie isn’t the show at its best, but it’s not the worst either, and it is at least great to see a series being given an ending, rather than the usual Netflix thing of just pulling the plug.

If you’ve been a fan since the beginning then you will be pleased with the wrap up. It’s not ground-breaking stuff, but it is entertaining. 

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Recent Releases

Not quite done yet? Want more movies? The above suggestions aren’t enough?! Well, here’s what’s also doing the rounds:

The Odyssey (2026)

“The Odyssey could have easily become an overblown production, or a journey to the screen which could have proved too much for Odysseus himself, and yet it’s actually one of the best movies of the summer.”

Power Ballad (2026)

“With excellent performances from Rudd and Jonas, slick direction from John Carney, and a compelling script from Carney and co-writer Peter McDonald, Power Ballad is a captivating, touching, and truly inspiring movie.”

The Invite (2026)

“While the farcical nature of the premise and the sheer amount of laughs are arguably the main selling points of The Invite, there is a very interesting and insightful narrative on offer. One which unpicks the simmering problems in a long-term relationship, while also dealing with the hemming and hawing that comes when a couple decide to open things up without really communicating with each other first.”

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Movie of the Week

Onto Movie of the Week which this week goes to 23 000 Lives. The film offers up a fascinating look at a true story and one which still remains very much a part of today’s headlines.

And if you like 23 000 Lives then you may also like:

• Thirteen Lives (2022) – Ron Howard directs this survival drama based on the Tham Luang cave rescue which saw a junior football team and their coach trapped in a cave and fighting for their lives.
• The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019) – Chris Evans stars in this spy thriller based on the real life story about an attempt to rescue Jewish-Ethiopian refugees.
• The Finest Hours (2016) – Chris Pine leads this action thriller based on The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue.

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Forthcoming attractions

That’s it for this week, but if you’re a movie fan don’t worry, there are plenty more films coming down the track including Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Ice Cream Man, and Insidious: Out of the Further. Plus, there’s dino drama in The End of Oak Street, and sensational Spidey thrills in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. 

Alex 

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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this edition of Movie Reviews 2026. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.