Chemical Hearts, directed by Richard Tanne, is a poignant coming-of-age drama based on Krystal Sutherland’s novel Our Chemical Hearts. The film explores the complexities of first love, grief, and the challenges of self-discovery, centered on two teenagers grappling with their emotions and pasts.
The story unfolds with Henry Page (Austin Abrams), a reserved and introspective high school senior who dreams of becoming a writer. Henry has lived a relatively uncomplicated life, dedicating himself to academics and quietly aspiring to be the editor of the school newspaper. Despite his ambitions, Henry feels as though he has yet to experience the life-defining moments that shape great writers.
Henry’s routine is disrupted when the enigmatic Grace Town (Lili Reinhart) transfers to his school. Grace is immediately intriguing but shrouded in mystery. She walks with a cane and has an air of melancholy that sets her apart. When Grace and Henry are paired as co-editors of the school newspaper, Henry becomes fascinated by her quiet strength and emotional depth.
As they work together, Henry begins to peel back the layers of Grace’s guarded personality. He learns that Grace is recovering from a traumatic past: a devastating car accident that claimed the life of her boyfriend, Dominic, and left her physically and emotionally scarred. The weight of her grief and survivor’s guilt prevents her from fully moving forward. Her physical injuries and reliance on a cane are a constant reminder of the life she once had.
Despite Grace’s reluctance to open up, she and Henry form a deep and complicated bond. Henry falls deeply in love with her, viewing her pain as something he might be able to heal. However, their relationship is fraught with challenges. Grace is still emotionally tied to Dominic, unable to let go of his memory, and she struggles to allow herself to be vulnerable with Henry. Her bedroom, which Henry eventually visits, is a shrine to her late boyfriend, symbolizing her inability to move on.
Henry’s love for Grace grows, but he also begins to grapple with the realization that love is not always enough to fix someone who is broken. Grace, in turn, teaches Henry valuable lessons about the impermanence of relationships and the importance of self-discovery. Through their time together, Henry experiences the pain and beauty of unrequited love and learns that love, while powerful, is not a cure-all.
The film poignantly captures the raw and messy emotions of adolescence. It portrays the highs and lows of teenage love, the weight of grief, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. While Henry yearns for a perfect love story, he comes to understand that life is filled with imperfections, and sometimes, the greatest act of love is letting someone go.
In the end, Chemical Hearts doesn’t provide a neat resolution but instead leaves viewers reflecting on the characters’ journeys. Grace continues to navigate her grief, while Henry emerges with a deeper understanding of himself and the complexities of human connection.
With its emotionally charged performances—particularly by Lili Reinhart as Grace—Chemical Hearts is a heartfelt exploration of young love and the emotional scars that shape us. It’s a story that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the intensity of first love or the struggle of moving forward after loss.
The production budget for Chemical Hearts has not been publicly disclosed. As a film released directly on Amazon Prime Video, specific financial details, including production costs and revenue, are often kept confidential. Therefore, the exact budget for Chemical Hearts remains unknown.