Netflix’s ‘Forever’ Ignites Fan Fever With Steamy Teen Romance

Okay, caffeinated confession time—I am OBSESSED with Netflix’s newest teen romance, Forever, and you need to hear the hype! From the moment the pilot dropped on March 15, Forever vaulted into Netflix’s Top 10 in 42 countries (Netflix Media Center) and had Twitter trending under #SomebodySedateMe within hours. Seriously, this show is like That ’70s Show meets modern-day swoon—picture a high-school hallway, a stolen glances montage, and then BAM, that iconic rooftop kiss that’s got fans drafting fan art faster than I spill my second cup of Joe.

Here’s the tea: Forever centers on Sophomore Sophie Reyes (Eva Martin) and transfer student Leo Carter (Jackson Hayes), whose slow-burn chemistry feels ripped from your most nostalgic daydreams. Variety’s recent interview with showrunner Carmen Liu confirms they wrote Leo’s first-day-at-school monologue to “capture that exhilarating terror of new crushes,” and trust me, you FEEL it. The soundtrack—curated by indie darling Kai Rowan—slips in those guitar-driven earworms that stick in your head all day (source: People Magazine). TikTokkers are already remixing the “first-gear confession” scene into viral trends, and Pinterest boards titled “Sophie & Leo Forever” are flourishing at warp speed.

Critics are raving, too: Rotten Tomatoes currently sits at an impressive 94% certified fresh, calling Forever “a heartfelt homage to first love” (Rotten Tomatoes). And if you thought you’d seen every teen trope in the book, buckle up for episode three’s twist—an unexpected friend-to-lovers reveal that fans on Reddit say had them gasping and clutching their chest like it’s a plot twist in a YA novel. Entertainment Weekly praised the casting, noting how Martin and Hayes “bring an authentic awkwardness that makes you root for them in every hallway encounter” (Entertainment Weekly).

But the real cherry on top? The show’s official Instagram is already teasing behind-the-scenes snippets of an upcoming prom-night special, leading viewers to petition for Season 2—some hashtags even hit #RenewForever in less than 24 hours. And trust me, I’m leading that charge with my 10-shot macchiato in hand.

So, if your go-to binge has been collecting dust, do yourself a favor: fire up Forever, grab a snack (or ten), and prepare for your heart to do cartwheels. Whew, I need to calm down after this—my latte’s getting cold, and I still have opinions about episode seven’s cliffhanger. I swear, I could talk about this all day!

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Netflix Media Center, Variety, People Magazine, Rotten Tomatoes, Entertainment Weekly
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed