Can a love story make you hold your breath while breaking your heart? Five Feet Apart (2019) dares to try, weaving a tale of cystic fibrosis patients Stella and Will, whose romance must navigate the cruel six-foot rule of their illness. Directed by Justin Baldoni, this teen drama doesn’t just tug at heartstrings it yanks them with a precision that feels both tender and relentless. The film’s pulse lies in its performances and visual storytelling, though it stumbles in its quest for depth.

Haley Lu Richardson as Stella is a revelation, her eyes flickering with defiance against her body’s betrayal. She grounds the film, making every cough and smile a window into a soul fighting to live fully. Cole Sprouse’s Will, with his sardonic charm, complements her, their chemistry crackling despite the physical distance. Their scenes whether bantering over hospital trays or stealing glances across sterile halls feel alive, proving that love can thrive in the smallest gestures. Yet, the script occasionally leans on melodrama, with predictable beats that dull the emotional edge. A late-act twist, while poignant, feels like a screenwriter’s ploy rather than an organic crescendo.

Cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco elevates the hospital’s claustrophobia into a canvas of intimacy. Soft blues and warm glows frame Stella and Will’s world, making their five-foot barrier feel like both a prison and a sanctuary. The camera lingers on hands almost touching, turning negative space into a character of its own. However, the score by Brian Tyler and Breton Vivian, while lush, sometimes overpowers quieter moments, nudging the audience toward tears rather than letting them arrive naturally.

In 2025, Five Feet Apart resonates with audiences craving raw, human connection in a world of digital distance. Its exploration of love under constraint mirrors our own navigations of closeness whether through screens or masks. Yet, it’s not flawless; the film sidesteps the grittier realities of cystic fibrosis for a polished sheen that can feel too safe. Still, Baldoni’s direction keeps the story buoyant, balancing hope and heartbreak without drowning in sentiment. For young audiences especially, it’s a reminder that love, even when fleeting, can redefine what it means to live. Watch it, and you’ll measure every inch of your own heart’s reach.