We’ve said it many, many times, but where there’s romance, that’s where we’ll be. Always. And the latest show to deliver on all fronts, with two incredible leads, is Heated Rivalry, based on the bestselling novel of the same title in Rachel Reid‘s Game Changers series.
It’s everything romance fans consistently ask for, with enthralling episodes that not only honor the genre, but they have an entire team behind the production that cares deeply about doing right by the relationships. Two episodes in at the time this article is being written, and it’s already so magnetic that it’s impossible to put it into words. We’re going to be talking about this show for a long, long time.
1. The Performances
Starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander come to life through breathtaking, indescribable performances. If nothing else, the work both these actors do to bring these characters to life is enough reason to watch. They’re it. They deserve all the praise, and it’s a shame that the show is releasing its last few episodes in December because they deserve to be on more end-of-the-year lists. They deserve Emmys and Golden Globes and every TV award out there for delivering performances that feel so raw, it makes me cry just thinking about the tenderness.
And this is just the beginning—those of us who’ve read the book know what’s ahead, and with how accurate everything currently is, there’s no denying that their performances will get better and better with the remaining four episodes.
2. The Intimacy in Heated Rivalry Is Unmatched
This is where words fully escape me because there’s nothing like the intimacy we’re seeing on Heated Rivalry. (And we’ve watched a ton of romance.) In a time where we thankfully have intimacy coordinators at most sets, sex scenes are becoming infinitely lovelier and more tender. But here? Here, I just—it’s everything. It’s legitimately indescribable, and these aren’t hyperbolic statements. The blocking and choreography paint such a stunning picture of two people getting to know one another through their bodies and actions. It’s warm, soft, and so achingly profound that every touch holds meaning.
Significant verbal conversations aren’t going to happen yet, but the emotions and shared pleasure give both Ilya and Shane something no one else can. Their kisses aren’t just scorchingly hot, they’re achingly sweet—hard and fast, delicate and slow. Every moment in between is so well done that you’ll want to watch and rewatch over and over just to appreciate how much care is put into every scene. Every word choice. Every action. Every gaze. The show sticks the landing in every way possible because every single person involved wants to make something that’s breathtaking.
3. The Score
Very rarely do we include a score in lists like this, but sometimes, it’s its own character, and that’s the case here. And dare I say, it feels like a Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score, specifically tailor-made for everyone who loved the Challengers‘ original score. (Me, this score is specifically for me.) Every beat heightens the emotions in a way that’s so evocative that if you haven’t yet watched with noise-canceling headphones, do it immediately because it’s an experience—another means for emotions to fill the space and add to the romance in a riveting manner. Plus the sound mixing? It’s so engrossing that every sigh and grunt and deep breath feel ten times more captivating. It’s pure artistry.
4. The Vulnerability
Every day, someone gets online and dismisses the significance of the romance genre by deeming it as “meaningless smut” or “a cliche.” Funny, because last I checked, no genre conveys vulnerability and the depth of human emotions quite like the romance genre. No genre allows human beings to be messy, flawed, real, and cracked wide open quite like romance. And that’s the case with everything we’re getting in Heated Rivalry so far. Two episodes in, and both Ilya and Shane are so fleshed out that it takes countless other shows multiple seasons to get to this type of development.
It’s especially a rarity to have men on TV express their emotions, and romances always do the best job of reminding viewers of how important sincere human expressions are. Vulnerability knows no gender, yet more often than not, creators who aren’t touching on relationships fail to acknowledge this. Here, it’s quite literally so admirable that the joy is transcendent because of the vulnerability.
5. It’s a Perfect Book-to-Screen Adaptation
Often, when there are changes from one medium to another, and people express concerns for those changes, arguments always arise that you shouldn’t be a book purist. But it’s not about accuracy in every sentence and every little detail, like height or something trivial as a changed setting; it’s about capturing the heart of the novels by ensuring that the characters come alive in the same way while key moments appear to showcase how and why they’re falling in love. Where casting is concerned, both Storrie and Williams feel like they’re shaken out of the book, and some dialogue is already so accurate, it’s incredible, but it’s the vulnerability that makes us feel every little emotion the book evokes.
It’s the fact that the show allows us to spend ample time with both Shane and Ilya without dabbling in unnecessary dramatic narratives to entice the general audience. It’s vignettes of time passing. It’s stolen glances. It’s their feet slowly inching together at a press conference. It’s every smile flirting with the corners of their mouths. It’s the fact that quiet moments are full of lingering gazes and small, brief touches. It’s the fact that every minute shows us the couple we’re here for.
Related Content: How to Read Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry Books in Order
The deliberate focus on the two of them and their intimacy is what makes the series as special as it is because this is what a romance is. From the lighting to the directorial choices, there’s something worthwhile in every frame to paint a picture that gives us all the details to flesh out the characters and build their love story. It’s memorable and masterful and breathtaking because every person involved cares and respects the genre as deeply as they value profound human connections. And that’s just…beautiful. There’s no other way to put it.
Heated Rivalry is currently streaming on Crave and HBO Max.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Crave