Entertainment

Heated Rivalry And Why It's Got People Obsessed

By Jocelyn Kay

There is a new hit show trending on social media called “Heated Rivalry.” The show, currently streaming on HBO, follows two rival hockey players who meet, start a sexual relationship, and eventually fall in love. It is an adaptation of the second book of the same name in the “Game Changers” book series by Rachel Reid.

Along a similar line to recent popular shows like “Bridgerton” or “Euphoria,” “Heated Rivalry” was created and intended for a mature audience, but it has exploded in popularity among teens and adults alike. Through the sharing of related content, analysis, and editing via platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, it has gained even more traction among new fans. The quick pace and intense nature of the show, with the added tension created from the in-universe rivalry between the two characters, is driving more people to watch.

The show itself follows a very fast pace and a dense plotline from the established books, and the condensed nature of adapting a book to the screen makes each episode very engaging. There are few, if any, useless scenes within the six-hour-long episodes. The rapid pace, along with weekly episode releases, created a passionate community behind the show. The community has expanded over the past few weeks since its release. They have continued to make content about the show, sold out the book series, and caused different spaces to create fan nights like the local 9:30 Club.

This show has also jump-started the careers of its two stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storie. The pair has presented at the Golden Globes and gone on many talk shows to promote the show, like Williams going on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The engagement they are seeing has also caused both actors to gain over 1.5 million followers on social media, pushing them from previously unknown to minor celebrity status.

While the recent success of the Canadian-produced show was unexpected, it is well deserved for all parties involved, and the positive representation “Heated Rivalry” has, as well as the outstanding quality, is a good direction for media to be headed.