On August 21, Amazon Studios released the film: “Chemical Hearts.”
It is a teenage romantic drama starring Austin Abrams and Riverdale star Lili Reinhart. The film explores all of the challenges that come with adolescence from love and heartbreak to self-discovery.
The film not only stars Lili Reinhart, but she is also the executive producer. In Abrams’ own words the film wouldn’t be possible without her.
Written by Richard Tanne, the film highlights the struggles of being a teenager while also looking into the reality of trauma even at a young age. Grace, played by Lili Reinhart, is processing her trauma and simultaneously grieving when Henry falls in love with her. However, their complicated romance becomes difficult for Henry to grasp. He learns through Grace’s inability to love him that to love someone wholeheartedly doesn’t erase their trauma. Henry struggles throughout the film with understanding her trauma and how love isn’t always reciprocated.
The film is able to show that healing is an individual process that isn’t beautiful or easy to understand. The title Chemical Hearts is intended to place the science behind love in juxtaposition to the emotion. Love can feel irrational and like something you cannot control, however there is an effect love and heartbreak have on your brain. Love can be explained and rationalized, however, that doesn’t make the emotions that come with falling in love and heartbreak easier to process.
Chemical Hearts isn’t a typical teen movie or coming of age story. The film feels realistic and honest with its audience about its characters and how they navigate the world around them. The film, based on the book Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland, brings life into the words of both Henry Tanne and Krystal Sutherland helping audiences better engage with the story of Henry and Grace. Audiences are able to watch Henry making an attempt to better understand himself and heartbreak simultaneously. The film will help audiences better understand love, heartbreak, and trauma.
Check out our exclusive interview with star Austin Abrams above!
