starring: MOLLY ANDERSON & ABIGAIL FAWN
After being struck by lightning a cheer legend wakes up in her 17 year old body and infiltrates her daughter’s summer cheer camp - ready to protect her bullied daughter, humiliate mean girls and flip her way back to glory.
REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well this is very good and refreshing, a vertical with something to say.
Romance takes a backseat here to the relationship between mum @mmactuj and daughter @abigail.fawn
And it nails some of the key parts of a relationship between mum and teen daughter, the urge to protect them but also needing them to be able to look after themselves, and realizing you perhaps don't know them as well as you though.
There are a few nods to classic films here, the fade out of Back To The Future, and a Freaky Friday vibe.
This really works for me because I love the Jamie Lee Curtis comparison for @mmactuj Both brilliant at action, comedy, scream queens and then will rip your heart out with truthful moments. Oh and mega watt smiles and legs that go on forever.
Molly is so good in this, this has to be her best performance. Because she totally captures how a mum would be, even just the way she hugs Iris near the end, but also gets to showcase her physical abilities with some of the cheer work, and dealing with Lexi.
Also by far my favourite performance by @abigail.fawn - to be able to make Iris so likeable and not weak or a stroppy teenager is amazing, and again the relationship with her mum and how she looks at her.
It's just so awesome to see the focus of a vertical be a relationship which is not a romance, and it is compelling viewing.
@vanessaschwarzz brings her A-Game as nemesis Lexi which is needed for the battles with Melinda. Love the little nail file moment with the scissors and need to know if this was improvised
Also like her lackeys @destinyashlynne and @morganfranzz who relish assisting Lexi, you can see their glee when sh*t goes down
@jared.staub does boy next door charming as Chase, & proves very adept at starting crowd chants. I appreciate the writing didn't go down a love triangle route with mum and daughter.
Personally I wish there was a tad less bullying and a bit more humour but I know that isn't how verts work at the moment.
But all in all this is a great project, just the details like actually including some cheerleading acrobatics. Very cool seeing Molly, Abigail and Jared do some move themselves.
💖 Top swoonworthy moment:
The focus is on the mother daughter relationship, but there is a great moment when Chase reveals he knows much more about Iris’s hopes and dreams than her mom.
🦹🏼♂️ Top villain award:
Well it turns out Tiffany Hyland, changed her name and went to Cheer Camp as Lexi. Another reign of terror. Finest moments, filing her nails with those scissors.
😂 Comedy gold:
Ok not comedy gold but I loved the nods to classic teen movies, Melissa does say ‘Bring It On’ and also attends the party in a full Cher from Clueless outfit.
🎺 Unsung hero:
The Dean / Principal at the end, edging away from Lexi’s mum, wiping his suit where she has touched him and giving Lexi the waggy finger. Steals every moment that he is on screen.
✍🏼 DETAILS
Director: 2025
Available on Dramabox
