Summary
While On the Verge is not the next and new obsession, we shouldn’t fall asleep on it so easily.
This review of Netflix’s On the Verge season 1 does not contain spoilers.
If you’ve watched Workin’ Moms, The Bold Type, or Valeria, then there’s plenty of identical tropes running through On the Verge. A group of leading women attempting to navigate love, life, and relationships, but also bringing an abundance of wholesome sisterhood. This Netflix series is another feel-good experience in bite-sized binge-worthy chunks that will be burned through fairly quickly.
In many ways, the series passes the acid test, but fails on other elements; the four women (Ell, Yasmin, Anne, and Jasmine) are the main selling point. The chemistry between them is as good as those mentioned series. However, the story is a little stagnant, and every time there’s a sense it will kick into the dramatics, it coolly brings it down to a calm level. Whether this is a choice or a sign that the story is under-delivered is not clear, but the juice offered has so much potential — from stale marriages to affairs; On the Verge has enough ingredients to thrill the audience.
So in that sense, it’s a shame that the series never reaches the heights of this growing, flavorsome genre. However, there’s enough in the group of women to imply longevity. Interestingly, the story is based before the pandemic, so a second season could navigate life after quarantines. On the Verge will require to up the game if it ever imagines reaching the third installment and the key is to hone in on those characters and spur some energy. We need cliffhangers and dedicated twists. Even the finale of season 1 is painfully underwhelming.
While On the Verge is not the next and new obsession, we shouldn’t fall asleep on it so easily. The characters have the overwhelming feeling of community amongst friends and the story is all there. It’s just a shame it never gets going.
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