The Half of It: Netflix queer romance leaves viewers ‘gobsmacked’ and begging for a sequel

Film’s ambiguous ending saw overjoyed fans tweeting their hopes for a follow-up

Netflix’s new queer romance movie The Half of It has left ecstatic viewers “gobsmacked” and demanding a sequel.

The film stars Leah Lewis as smart high schooler Ellie, who earns pocket money by writing homework papers for her classmates. It’s an extracurricular assignment that leads her to romantic turmoil, however.

Asked to write love letters for a popular jock, who is attempting to woo a girl in his class, Ellie slowly discovers that she, too, has deep feelings for the girl in question.

Released on Netflix today (1 May), the film has left viewers in awe.

“I am completely gobsmacked,” wrote one viewer. “It is not about romance, it is beyond that. I admire the authenticity of the characters and how they played their roles is astonishing. Hats off to the director, Alice Wu because of her amazing work.”

Another added that it’s “the best film I’ve seen all quarantine”.

“Sometimes films aren’t for the you of now, but the 17 year old you once were,” tweeted another viewer. “Sometimes those films are also incredibly soft, gentle and beautiful.”

Many have also demanded a sequel that picks up several years after the conclusion to the film, after a suggestive line of dialogue in the film’s swoon-worthy ending.

“Just saw #TheHalfOfIt and I just wanna say I NEED A SEQUEL ASAP!!! Ellie and Aster are everything!!!!” insisted one fan.

Another tweeted: “The ending was just begging for a sequel (and so am I).”

The Half of It also marks the first movie by director Alice Wu since 2004’s Saving Face, a groundbreaking lesbian romcom starring two Chinese-American leads.

The Half of It is streaming on Netflix now.