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.
What did you think of Netflix’s On The Verge season 1? Comment below.
Actually, I thought the finale was pretty good, not “painfully underwhelming” as the reviewer opined. In that last episode, most of the four women had just reached personal decisions that will significantly affect their lives, and then in the last minute of the show they all learn some news that will drastically affect all of them and definitely have an impact on the decisions some have just made.
I wonder if the reviewer is under 40, and has no appreciation or familiarity with Julie Delpi.
I couldn’t get past the first episode on account of none of the actresses consistently pronouncing the name Yasmin the correct or even one way! Gross.
I appreciate a series having 4 female leads over 40 , but this was just pointless, unrealistic, not funny when desperately trying to be with contrived scenes , and tedious . It had potential, but failed .
I’m over forty , am familiar with Julie Delpy and loved Two Days in Paris .
I hated this series . It was plain ridiculous, unrealistic, and not one bit funny , when trying painfully to be .