Power Play

starring: ELOISE LOLA GORDON & VINCENT RANOLA

When Abby's college boyfriend, Brody Matthews, cheats she's out for revenge. Enter Brody's ultimate rival, campus playboy and star hockey captain, Tyler Richards. Together, they hatch the perfect plan: Fake date to throw Brody off his game, and help clean up Tyler's image to get him a straight shot into the NHL…

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I feel old and this is a good thing.

Finally a vert that actually feels young and fresh and that it could sit alongside shows like XO Kitty on Netflix.

This has to be one of the best looking verts, with some amazing shots underwater at the frat party, the glitter strands blowing in the wind, up close with the hockey action on the rink and in the gym.

It is also one of the first sport verts that actually sells the team dynamic, and the physicality of the sport. You believe these guys are athletes.

And it sounds great... no corny sound effects here but actually music with a beat and everything.

The cast are great - Eloise Lola Gordon who so deserves a strong empowered female lead, has tons of fun, and has Vincent and Brody wrapped around her little finger. That is my only worry, I wasn't sure she would stay with Tyler, as she seems set for big things.

Vincent Ranola is thankfully very willing to take his shirt off for female fans, but also gives Tyler an amazing vulnerability. You see the fear when he thinks he is losing Abby, and the exasperation when dealing with drunk Abby. He is brilliant, and a superb green flag male lead.

Some of the best bits are when he goes toe to toe with Brody (Matthew Tyler Vorce) who absolutely owns the screen every time he is on there.

It is an insanely good performance, punchable, mesmerising and unhinged all at the same time. He outdoes Mathew Lillard in a similar role in She's All That and to be honest I was almost shipping Brody and Tyler over Abby and Tyler. Because every time they face off sparks fly.

Matthew Tyler Vorce is extraordinary and I would watch the 'Adventures of Brody' based on this, and he needs to be cast in all the horizontal movies and tv shows ASAP. I can't describe how good he is eloquently enough.

And all power to writer, director, producer and queen Christianne Cruz for having the vision to make this happen, a story that feels young and fresh and has a female lead with agency and removes many of the tired vert tropes.

Amazing job everyone on Salty TV.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Poor, poor Tyler. Accused of being a Nepo Baby because of his dad, constantly has Brody in his face, accused of being a F boy without real evidence, and then falls for Abby so hard and struggles to convince her it is real. And then makes the biggest of big gestures.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Brody is absolutely mesmerising - simultaneously awful and likeable. He manages to be both completely punchable and oddly redeemable, and it's easy to see how he charmed Abby’s mum.

😂 Comedy gold:

The charities - somebody think of the Zamboni drivers and intermittent fasters.

Also drunk Abby, who is Abbs and therefore gets Abs.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Mr Mochi.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director Christianne Cruz | 2025

Available on Salty TV