Can a romantic drama accurately portray the life-or-death reality of living with cystic fibrosis?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2019 film Five Feet Apart explores the lives of two teenagers with cystic fibrosis who fall in love while strictly maintaining physical distance. Inspired by the late advocate Claire Wineland, the movie highlights the tension between human connection and the medical necessity of avoiding dangerous cross-infection in hospital settings.

Directed by Justin Baldoni, the film stars Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse as Stella and Will, two patients navigating the complexities of a genetic disorder that damages organs and compromises immune systems. The title references a standard safety protocol, often called the six-foot rule, which advises patients to maintain distance to prevent the spread of bacteria. While the film dramatizes the struggle to maintain this gap, it sparked significant debate within the cystic fibrosis community regarding the romanticization of a terminal illness.

Critics and medical professionals have pointed out several discrepancies between the film's narrative and clinical reality. For instance, some experts argue that the six-foot guideline is insufficient indoors, where shared hospital ventilation systems can circulate pathogens regardless of physical proximity. Furthermore, the film has been criticized for perpetuating myths, such as the idea that the condition is spread through coughing or that all patients require visible oxygen support. These creative choices led to backlash, particularly when promotional campaigns on social media were perceived as trivializing the severity of the disease.

Despite mixed critical reviews, the film achieved commercial success, grossing $92.5 million worldwide against a $7 million production budget. The project was deeply influenced by Claire Wineland, who served as a consultant before her death in 2018. While some advocacy groups appreciated the increased public awareness, others remained concerned that using a fatal condition as a plot device for a teen romance ultimately obscured the lived experiences of those managing the disease daily.

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