The internet has a new sporting obsession, and it involves tennis, forbidden feelings and Romeo Beckham passionately kissing a male rival. The first official trailer for Forty Love has landed, and it is serving up a seriously steamy combination of sexual tension, competitive banter and secret romance that has fans drawing comparisons to queer TV sensation Heated Rivalry.
Marking Romeo’s acting debut, the French-language film sees the 24-year-old son of David and Victoria Beckham step into an unexpectedly provocative role opposite French actor Paul Kircher. And if the trailer is anything to go by, he is certainly not afraid to get stuck into the action.
What is everyone saying about Forty Love?
The newly released footage has sparked conversation thanks to its tantalising glimpses of the chemistry between the two leads. Kircher plays Sacha Gallo, an ambitious young tennis star whose carefully controlled life is turned upside down by the arrival of Romeo’s charismatic rival.
Their relationship begins with on-court taunts and competitive tension before spilling into something considerably more intimate. There are stolen glances, flirtatious exchanges, bedroom scenes and a passionate kiss that has quickly become one of the trailer’s biggest talking points.
One particularly cheeky line sees Romeo’s character declare, “It’s not my fault if you’re f***ing in love with me.” Elsewhere, he jokes about not wanting to sound as though he wants to be Sacha’s boyfriend during a press conference. Subtle, these two are not.
Of course, Romeo’s famous surname has also fuelled discussion about celebrity privilege and whether his acting debut can establish him as more than just another nepo baby. Having previously modelled for luxury fashion houses including Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, he is now entering an entirely different arena.
Everything we know about the film
Directed by fashion photographer Pierre-Ange Carlotti in his feature-film debut, Forty Love explores the collision between sporting ambition, identity and desire. Sacha has spent years training under his father’s watchful eye, determined to secure a major tennis title in Paris. But his new rival threatens both his championship dreams and his emotional composure.
The supporting cast includes Guillaume Canet, Benjamin Voisin and French screen icon Catherine Deneuve. The soundtrack features music by 070 Shake and Johan Lenox, adding another intriguing dimension to the project. The film is scheduled to arrive in French cinemas on 25 November 2026, with international release plans yet to be confirmed.
The Heated Rivalry effect
The comparisons with Heated Rivalry are inevitable. The hit hockey romance captured audiences with its irresistible combination of enemies-to-lovers tension, secret encounters and emotional vulnerability between two elite athletes.
According to Queerty, Forty Love shares plenty of familiar ingredients, including teasing exchanges, coded public flirtations and intimate moments behind closed doors.
More importantly, the success of Heated Rivalry demonstrated the mainstream appetite for unapologetically sensual queer romances featuring complex male characters in traditionally masculine sporting environments. Forty Love arrives amid that cultural momentum, potentially attracting viewers who want more stories that challenge conventional ideas about masculinity and desire.
Whether Romeo and Paul can recreate that same onscreen magic remains to be seen. But with a provocative trailer, a compelling rivals-to-lovers premise and plenty of chemistry to fuel speculation, Forty Love has already served up its first winning shot. And this time, the real match is happening off the court.