Fated At First Sight

starring: NICOLE MATTOX & MARK VEGA

In a world of warring wolf clans, Isabel, a powerful yet sheltered member of the Blood Moon Clan, hides her abilities. Captured by enemies, she must rely on unlikely allies, including Drake, to escape and protect her secrets.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I should have watched this sooner. Let's not dwell.

This has to be one of the best verts of all time largely cos it doesn't feel like a vert, it feels like an extended pilot episode of a tv show. Where is the rest of it? This is closer to great tv / ya fantasy like Cassandra Clare and The 100.

The writing is superb. Layers, nuance, character development and all the things we long for in verts. We have time for scenes to develop, tension to build and then explosive action.

It's so deftly done, humour then shocking moments, romance then betrayal.

Everyone is flipping good.

Douglas Jung in what has to be his best role as conflicted Tristan (excellent vest rip)

LaTanza Britts extraordinary at Otsana

Havon Baraka with a mesmerising stillness as Jared who instantly knows what his Alpha needs - also shipping Jared with Cassie (Erica Colarusso)

Brendan Kanoa McManus is amazing as Ronin as he has to captivate you, and keeps you constantly guessing

And right. Here I am going all out.

For goodness sake people in the world with this power. Ask Nicole Mattox and Mark Vega what roles they would like and give them to them. It is hard to write this but they are both too blinking good for verticals (esp some of the scripts this year). Make their dreams come true please.

Nicole Mattox is the best in the business at feisty, but then totally breaks your heart when her voice cracks talking to Cassie, and holds your attention for that whole monologue to the door. That is a skill.

And anyone regular here knows I am a bit of a Mark Vega fan. Apart from an ability to fling Nicole repeatedly over his shoulder, the man can ACT. To be able to combine having enough presence to show he is alpha, with frustration / concern about Isabel, and the awkwardness of falling in love is amazing.

And Drake is such a green flag because he makes Izzy feel safe. Even when she runs off for the umpteenth time he will still always be there for her. When his hands are damaged he is still there for her. That loyalty, and love is something every human wants.

All credit to director Angela Liu for creating this masterpiece and being so far ahead of the curve no one else has caught up yet.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Watch this to learn how to write a good romance. We know exactly when and why Drake falls in love with Isabel. We have the necessary obstacles thanks to Otsana and misunderstandings. We have a big gesture, when Drake ruins his hands on the silver net. Genuine hurt on both sides, and back hugs. And it all soars because we have 2 of the finest actors in the space in these roles. P.S. my husband hid the engagement ring in a shoe as well.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Otsana is extraordinary, LaTanza Britts has the ability to let a whole new expression drift across her face which is incredibly unsettling. And her final scenes are the stuff of nightmares. Then we have the mercurial Ronin, who is charming and oppressive all at the same time.

😂 Comedy gold:

Bestie Cassie (Erica Colarusso) turning up and asking all the important questions such as ‘are you pooping regularly’ 😂

🎺 Unsung hero:

It has to be the writers - this is an insanely good vert, and to be honest it feels like we have gone backwards since this came out. Why on earth isn’t everything this good? We have fully rounded characters, interesting conflicts, actual dynamics between the leads, twists and turns in the plot. No tropes. I AM ACTUALLY NOW IN A STROP. How can something this good be made and then so many lesser scripts greenlit afterwards? I’m not even touching the massive backwards steps in diversity. COME ON PEOPLE.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director Angela Liu | 2024

Available on Dreameshort