Why everyone’s talking about Heated Rivalry

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I’m a big movie fan, and honestly, hockey hasn’t really shown up much on the big screen – not since the Mighty Ducks anyway. But that’s changed! There’s a new film that’s really grabbed my attention, and it’s about two hockey players who fall for each other as they chase their dreams on the ice. It’s a really fresh take on the sports movie genre.

Heated Rivalry, inspired by Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, tells the story of Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. The show follows their intense rivalry on the ice and the passionate relationship that develops off the rink. They face the challenges of keeping their love hidden while striving for success in their sport.

The story definitely grabs your attention with its focus on attractive characters. However, it’s still surprising how quickly ‘Heated Rivalry’ became so popular.

I was really excited about Jacob Tierney’s new series, and it originally premiered on a Canadian streaming service called Crave. But thankfully, just before it launched, it got picked up for international distribution! Now, a lot more people – including those of us who use HBO Max – will be able to watch it. It’s a bit of a wait for those of us outside Canada, though – HBO Max isn’t coming here until March 2026!

Despite its potential, “Heated Rivalry” didn’t get the same large-scale marketing support as other HBO shows like “House of the Dragon.” The network didn’t heavily promote it, so fans took the lead. Particularly, enthusiastic fans of the book the show is based on obsessively analyzed the first trailer, making numerous edits and reaction videos from the brief 90 seconds of footage available.

Brendan Brady, an executive producer, told The Hollywood Reporter that the enthusiastic reaction from fans was key to getting HBO Max on board, which ultimately helped the show become a hit worldwide. However, simply having a distributor wouldn’t have created such a strong reaction, particularly since the show wasn’t based on a well-known brand outside of its existing book readership.

That’s where the butts come in.

The series began with a simple following of book lovers, but quickly evolved to include a strong attraction fueled by both gay men and straight women – a dynamic the story actively explores.

Shane and Ilya’s relationship is primarily physical, starting with intimate moments and culminating in a hotel encounter. The show uses sex as a central storytelling device, with intimacy evolving as the characters learn more about each other and themselves, as explained by Tierney to The Hollywood Reporter.

While provocative content often attracts attention, the creators of Heated Rivalry could have chosen to make the show more tame to reach a larger audience. Fortunately, they didn’t, and the show’s success proves they made the right decision.

Their version of Heated Rivalry really pushes the boundaries when it comes to intimacy. There’s a lot of sex throughout the show, with short conversations and skips in time leading back to more intimate scenes. In fact, more of the story happens in the bedroom than focused on the characters’ hockey careers. However, these scenes are often overly focused on exposed buttocks, becoming repetitive and distracting.

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are visually appealing in ‘Heated Rivalry,’ but what really makes the show work is the genuine chemistry between them. Without it, the intimate scenes could have felt awkward or forced. Their connection is palpable even when they’re not involved in those scenes—they convincingly portray a developing attraction and a relationship you genuinely want to see succeed.

While the actors are visually appealing, that wasn’t the main focus. Tierney and their team prioritized finding performers who could truly capture the emotional core of the story – the deep longing that drives the characters. They focused on the right fit for the roles, rather than simply casting well-known faces.

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Even though the show is often inappropriate, it has surprisingly touching moments – you’ll likely feel something when you see Shane painstakingly delete his message about not having kissed someone.

Heated Rivalry feels genuinely passionate, both in its story and how it portrays gay intimacy – something you don’t often see in more widely-released films.

The show’s real charm comes from how easily it draws you in and taps into your desire for a good love story. Plus, let’s be honest, there’s barely any hockey! Why focus on the game when you can enjoy the blossoming romance between Shane and Ilya?

Heated Rivalry is available to watch on HBO Max in the US.

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2025-12-08 20:11