Finding Her Edge Review: Ice, Romance & Drama That Sort of Slaps
Drama, Entertainment, Series ReviewsFinding Her Edge Review: Ice, Romance & Drama That Sort of Slaps When I first heard about Finding Her Edge Netflix, I low-key expected a super polished skating show like Spinning Out vibes, but what I actually got was something else entirely. This is the new YA sports-drama mixed with romance that dropped on Netflix in January 2026, and it’s becoming the must-talk-about series among Gen Z watchers, whether they stan it or roast it. The series is based on a young-adult novel by Jennifer Iacopelli and blends competitive figure skating with complicated relationships, family tension, and that classic “will-they-won’t-they” energy. For youth audiences craving relatable characters and pretty intense love square situations (yes, it feels messy), this is very likely your vibe. Plot & Core Storyline Without Spoilers At the heart of Finding Her Edge Netflix is Adriana Russo, a 17-year-old former figure skater from a famous skating family whose life got thrown off track after her mom’s death. The Russo rink, their family’s legacy and main income, is now on the brink of collapse, which forces Adriana back onto the ice and deep into the drama. To save the rink, she has to partner with Brayden Elliot, a talented but cocky ice dancer. They pretend to be a couple for sponsorships, classic, but of course, real feelings get involved. And just when things couldn’t get messier, Adriana’s ex-partner and first love, Freddie, re-enters the picture and starts training close to home with his own partner. That’s right, love triangle chaos with glitter and ice blades. What I really liked is that the show doesn’t just stick to sports. It adds emotional layers about grieving, identity, ambition, and family fights. But it also doesn’t fully commit to anything super deep, which is both part of its charm and its downfall, more on that later. Characters & Who Plays Them (IRL Cast) Adriana Russo is played by Madelyn Keys, who brings a mix of grit and vulnerability to the role. She’s trying to be strong while carrying everyone’s expectations, sister-energy legit. Brayden Elliot (played by Cale Ambrozic) is the confident and mysterious new partner with a soft spot when you least expect it. He’s the one Gen Z is kinda shipping with Adriana until things get weird. On the other side is Freddie O’Connell, portrayed by Olly Atkins, Adriana’s first love and emotional wildcard. Their dynamic feels nostalgic but also frustrating at times. The Russo family adds more drama too, Elise Russo (Alexandra Beaton) is competitive and audacious, while Maria Russo (Alice Malakhov) brings a quirky innocence that actually steals scenes when the adults mess up yet again. Harmon Walsh as Will Russo, the dad, tries to hold the dream together but frequently loses the plot. The ensemble is colourful, and the cast definitely tries, some performances hit harder than others. Chemistry varies from “wow” to “well, okay then,” which feels somehow fitting for a show about teens figuring out life. What’s Good About It — The Positives One big bonus? The emotional core. You feel the family love and the pressure Adriana carries, it’s relatable AF if you’ve ever felt stuck between dreams and duty. The ice skating backdrop is refreshing too; it’s not every day you see figure skating get centre stage in a Netflix YA series. And let’s be real, the rivalries, fake-relationship trope, and awkward glances are cheesy in the best way. It’s fun, it’s dramatic, it’s messy, Gen Z energy in peak form. There are also moments of actual intensity on the ice that do make you pay attention, even if it’s clear body doubles are doing most of the heavy lifting. Plus, the show’s setting (Ontario, Canada ice rinks, Olympic dream vibes) feels fresh, not like every other teen drama out there. Where It Falls Short — The Negatives Honestly? Sometimes the writing feels like it tries too hard. Dialogue can be awkward, choices feel predictable, and some emotional beats flop where they should land strong. Critics have called parts of it blunt and average, even saying it’s more background entertainment than a must-watch masterpiece. Casting reactions online show that some viewers felt the acting was uneven, certain characters come off one-dimensional or even annoying, and the dad figure tries hard but doesn’t always land emotionally. There’s also a chunk of fandom upset about how the love triangle resolves and how some story choices felt half-baked. While the skating is cool, it’s not always as spectacular as expected, occasionally more “photo op” than real hype performance, which disappointed some hard-core skating fans. What’s Likable vs. What’s Not The likable parts are absolutely the characters you can root for — from Maria’s unapologetic cuteness to moments when Adriana actually stands up for herself. There’s real heart in the family interactions and sibling clashes that youth audiences can emotionally tap into. The unlikable bits? Certain characters feel too dramatic without enough depth. Some romance arcs feel repetitive, and dialogue sometimes misses that Gen Z mark (ironically landing like outdated slang). A few plot twists also feel very predictable, like you saw them coming five episodes before they actually happened. But let’s be honest: sometimes a show’s flaws are exactly what make it fun to watch and talk about with friends. Final Take for Youth Crowd If you’re down for a series that’s equal parts cute, confusing, dramatic, and occasionally cringey, Finding Her Edge Netflix delivers an experience that’s fun to scroll about, debate over, and relive with friends. It’s not flawless, but it feels like a show made for the chaos of teen feelings and big dreams. Some days that’s exactly the vibe we want. Stay tuned, though, it’s already renewed for season 2, so the Russo rollercoaster is far from over.
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