The film’s greatest asset is undoubtedly Haley Lu Richardson. As Stella, she is a whirlwind of anxious energy and regimented control, channeling her fear of death into an obsession with order. Richardson brings a frantic, high-wire vulnerability to the role that feels authentic; she doesn’t just play sick, she plays someone exhausted by the performance of being healthy. Her scenes in the hospital room, broadcasting her "treatments" to her online followers, do a subtle job of highlighting how chronic illness forces teenagers to curate their pain for an audience.
"Five Feet Apart" is a poignant and thought-provoking romantic drama film that tells the story of two teenagers living with cystic fibrosis, a chronic and life-threatening illness. The movie, directed by Rick Doms and written by Vanessa Taylor and Katie Dippold, explores the complexities of life, love, and mortality, leaving audiences moved and inspired. five feet apart
However, the film is not without its flaws. The third act leans aggressively into cliché, relying on convenient coincidences and a dramatic twist that feels engineered specifically to maximize tissue consumption. At times, the script prioritizes romantic tragedy over the logistical realities of hospital administration, asking the audience to suspend disbelief a little too far. The film’s greatest asset is undoubtedly Haley Lu
Despite its occasional descent into soap-opera theatrics, Five Feet Apart succeeds because it taps into a universal truth: to love is to be vulnerable. By making the physical distance a requirement for survival, the film amplifies the stakes of a first kiss to life-or-death proportions. It is a tearjerker that earns its tears, not just through tragedy, but through a sincere exploration of what it means to touch someone’s life when you cannot touch their skin. Her scenes in the hospital room, broadcasting her
The performances by Amandla Stenberg and Tom Holland are outstanding, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, making their romance both authentic and heart-wrenching.
Opposite her, Cole Sprouse brings a brooding, bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-gold charm to Will. While his character leans into familiar tropes—the artist who has given up on life—Sprouse and Richardson share a crackling chemistry that transcends the physical barrier between them. The tension is palpable; the camera lingers on the inches between their fingers and the space between their faces, making the audience yearn for the contact that the characters are denied. Moises Arias also deserves praise for his role as Poe, Stella’s best friend, providing much-needed levity and a grounded perspective on the CF community.