You’ve seen the TikTok clips. Maybe a 15-second snippet of two boys on bikes in the Flemish countryside popped up on your feed, and now you’re scouring the internet for young hearts 2024 full movie eng sub. It’s one of those rare films that actually lives up to the social media hype, but finding it—and understanding what makes it different from every other coming-of-age story—is where most people trip up.
Honestly, the Belgian film Young Hearts (originally titled Jonge Harten) isn't just another "trauma-core" story. Director Anthony Schatteman, making his feature debut, decided to do something almost radical in the world of queer cinema: he made it hopeful.
The Real Story Behind Elias and Alexander
The plot is basically this: Elias is 14. He lives a pretty standard, maybe slightly boring life in a rural village. Then Alexander moves in next door. Alexander is also 14, but he’s from Brussels, he’s confident, and he’s already been in love with a boy before.
This isn't a story about a kid being bullied or kicked out of his house. It's much more internal. Elias is mostly just... confused. He’s got a girlfriend. He’s got a group of friends who talk about girls and sex in that clumsy, teenage way. When he realizes he’s falling for Alexander, the conflict isn't necessarily the world being cruel—it’s Elias not knowing how to be his true self when he’s already built a life around being someone else.
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The acting is incredible. Lou Goossens (Elias) and Marius De Saeger (Alexander) have this chemistry that feels painfully real. Goossens, in particular, has this way of looking at Alexander that makes you remember exactly what it felt like to have your first "lightning bolt" crush. You know the one. Where your stomach actually hurts and you can't breathe right.
Why Everyone Is Searching for the "Eng Sub" Version
The film premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2024. Since then, it’s been the "it" movie at festivals like Seattle and Cannes. Because it’s a Belgian-Dutch co-production, the primary language is Dutch (specifically Flemish).
If you're looking for young hearts 2024 full movie eng sub, you’re likely finding a lot of dead ends or sketchy sites. Here is the actual, factual status of the film's availability as of early 2026:
- United States: The film was released on DVD and Digital by Strand Releasing in May 2025. You can find it on major platforms like Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
- United Kingdom: Peccadillo Pictures handled the release, including a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray that dropped in late 2025.
- Streaming: While it hit HBO Max in some European territories, in the US and UK, it’s mostly a "rent or buy" situation on VOD services.
Avoid those "Watch Free" links. Seriously. Most of them are just phishing scams or have weird, burned-in subtitles in three different languages that you can't turn off. If you want the actual high-quality English subtitles that capture the nuance of the Flemish slang, the official VOD or DVD releases are the only way to go.
What Makes This Different from Heartstopper or Love, Simon?
People love to compare Young Hearts to Heartstopper. It's a fair comparison in terms of the "vibes," but Schatteman’s film feels a bit more grounded. It’s not quite as "sparkly" or stylized. There are no animated leaves flying across the screen when they hold hands.
Instead, you get the quiet, awkward reality of rural life. One of the best parts of the movie involves Elias’s grandfather, played by Dirk Van Dijck. Without spoiling the whole thing, there’s a conversation about regret and "the one that got away" that basically acts as the emotional anchor for the whole third act.
It’s also surprisingly funny. The way the teenagers interact feels unscripted—lots of "kinda" and "sorta" and long silences where they don't know what to say. It’s messy.
Critical Reception: Is It Actually Good?
The critics think so. It holds a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Catherine Bray at Variety pointed out that Schatteman’s direction is "quietly confident," which is a fancy way of saying he doesn't over-direct. He just lets the kids act.
Some people, like Beatrice Loayza at The New York Times, found it a bit too "fairy tale" at the end. And yeah, it’s optimistic. But after decades of queer movies ending in tragedy, maybe a fairy tale is exactly what we need right now.
How to Actually Watch Young Hearts 2024 Right Now
If you are ready to stop clicking on broken links and actually watch the thing, here is the roadmap:
- Check your local VOD store. Search "Young Hearts 2024" on the Apple TV app or Amazon Prime. Ensure the distributor is Strand Releasing or Peccadillo.
- Look for the DVD. If you’re a physical media nerd, the Strand Releasing DVD actually includes Schatteman’s early short films, like Kiss Me Softly (2012), which is basically a precursor to this movie.
- BFI Player (UK). If you're in the UK, the BFI Player often has it for rent for about £4.50.
Basically, the "full movie" isn't legally available for free on YouTube or TikTok, no matter what the comments say. Supporting these smaller indie films is the only way we get more of them.
Once you’ve finished the movie, you’ll probably want to look up the soundtrack. The song Elias's dad sings at the beginning—about first love lighting a fire—is a total earworm that stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s a small film with a massive heart, and honestly, it’s worth the five bucks to rent it properly.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify your region: Search for "Young Hearts (2024)" on JustWatch to see exactly which streaming service has it in your specific country.
- Check the Language: When buying, ensure the listing says "Original Language: Dutch" with "Subtitles: English." Some platforms accidentally list it under its German title, Junge Herzen.
- Watch the Shorts: If you like the style, find Anthony Schatteman's short film Kus me zachtjes on YouTube or Vimeo; it's free and gives you a great look at his early work.