What the Movie "F*ck Valentine's Day" Gets Right and Wrong About Diabetes
- Julia Flaherty
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
Let’s talk about what the movie "F*ck Valentine’s Day" gets right and wrong about diabetes.
An Unexpected Theme
I did not expect diabetes to be a recurring theme when I pressed play. I thought it would be a harmless, light, background rom-com. Instead, it grabbed my attention, mostly for the wrong reasons.
I found myself wearing a disappointed face more than I anticipated. There were many not-so-harmless mentions of diabetes throughout.
Here is what the film gets right and wrong about living with diabetes:
Cheap Shots at Diabetes
Early on, the line “Thanks for the diabetes” is used as a punchline when the main character, Gina, is eating the chocolate chip cookies her mom sent her for her birthday. Gina's birthday falls on Valentine's Day. She loathes it for many reasons.
The problem with this scene is that it reinforces a common myth that sugar causes diabetes. It's a cheap, over-used shot that I was suprrised made a 2026 film.
Sugar alone is not responsible for any form of diabetes. Lifestyle habits can be one factor in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but they are not the whole story. Genetics, environment, access to healthcare, and socioeconomic factors all play a role.
Reducing it to personal failure oversimplifies a complex condition, and shame does not motivate meaningful change.
Poking Fun at Weight + Diabetes
Gina’s fake backstory adds to the issue. The references to her weighing over 300 pounds, getting stuck in a waterslide, and always having chocolate on hand lean into harmful stereotypes. It suggests that sugar causes diabetes again and that all people with diabetes are overweight. That is simply not true. Diabetes affects people of all body sizes, ages, cultures, habits, and backgrounds.
In reality, many people living with diabetes are among the most health-conscious individuals I know. They have to be. Many were diagnosed young and grew up learning how to monitor their blood sugar, adjust insulin, plan meals, and advocate for themselves. Living with diabetes often requires a level of awareness and discipline that most people never have to develop.
Johnny telling Gina he loves her at every weight is nice, but it is not revolutionary. Respecting someone regardless of their body size is the bare minimum, not a grand gesture.
Lows shouldn't be treated with chocolate: fast-acting carbs are best
At this point in the story, there is also a moment involving hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. I will give the film credit for using the correct clinical term, though “low blood sugar” might have felt more accessible for viewers.
Chocolate, however, is not recommended as a treatment for low blood sugar because its fat content slows the rise in blood sugar. Fast-acting sources of glucose, such as glucose tablets, powders, gels, or gummies, work more effectively. Hard candy is also commonly used by people with diabetes to treat lows.
That said, people with diabetes can enjoy chocolate just like anyone else, in moderation. It comes down to understanding how to dose insulin appropriately. The only thing people with diabetes cannot eat is poison, just like everyone else.
What the film sort of got right about severe low blood sugar episodes
The run-in with the cop is one of the more grounded scenes. I appreciated his urgency when Johnny said “coma,” because severe lows can be life-threatening and require immediate action.
Johnny mispronouncing hypoglycemia is clearly played for comedy, which is fair. He also references a shot and gets it half right. In a severe low, the emergency treatment is not an insulin shot. It is an emergency glucagon injection, which raises blood sugar and can be lifesaving.
The responsibility film-makers have in getting diabetes right on screen
Is it this movie’s responsibility to clear up every misconception about diabetes? No. It is a romantic comedy, not a documentary. But stories shape perception. When a film includes a medical condition as part of its plot, accuracy matters. Unfortunately, this one did not always hit the right notes.
Have you seen Fck Valentine’s Day*? How did you feel about the way diabetes was portrayed?
Disclosure
This review reflects my personal opinions and perspectives, informed by my lived and professional experience in the diabetes space. It is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this post does not establish a coach-client or healthcare provider relationship.
Diabetes management is highly individualized. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health, medications, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, I make no guarantees regarding completeness or applicability to your specific situation.