Someone Like Xavier

starring: KYRA WISELY & ISAAC RAMIREZ

Trapped in servitude by her wicked stepmother, Melody’s desperate closet kiss unmasks a stranger as Xavier, her family’s new billionaire CEO guest. Forced into a rival engagement, she risks blackmail to fight for love and her inheritance.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I come to this as someone who has watched every single version of A Cinderella Story. In fact probably every adaptation of this fairytale out there.

And this is a wonderful, wonderful addition to the cannon.

@kyrawisely is so so so so so good. She made me want to cry with how good she is. One of the most beautiful things in Verticals is seeing how much people have grown and developed on screen and Kyra is one of those. Why the heck isn't she in horizontals. They are going to come knocking, she is too good for them not to

And if everyone doesn't immediately cast @isaacbramirez in everything I am going on strike. I'm serious. Take that dive. Many a vertical male lead has had to do that. There have been belly flops, people tipping over, messy legs. No one is saying it is easy, I can barely swim

But to do a perfect dive in one take, and then emerge Anthony Bridgerton / Mr Darcy style at the end. Plus you instantly feel the connection with Melody. I mean Xavier helps her with her chores, gently teases her about her audio books, and sacrifices his own happiness to keep her safe

@dreharlowe and @bella.chadwick have a ball with their gruesome twosome, kudos for keeping the energy up all the way through. It's just delightful

And @therealbencohen nearly steals the whole darn thing with his influencer streams, wholeheartedly support for Melody, killer ones liners and total willingness to take down his mother and sister

This is so much fun. I loved it. I can see that the mix of comedy and star crossed lovers may not land for everyone, it does feel a little like 2 different tones.

But it made me very very happy. Perfect escapism.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Forget Mr Darcy. This has THE BEST SWIMMING POOL dive and wet shirt rescue ever. END OF. I’m dead.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Melody’s stepmother and stepsister are the perfect gruesome twosome - yes played for comedy, and I love that interpretation. Forged will, and making poor Melody polish all that silverware is a lot, and then Angela threatens Xavier’s family legacy. Plus she is working for dodgy billionaires. Not good Angela.

😂 Comedy gold:

Lisa is wonderfully, stupidly dumb. The whole conversation where she keeps going on about the secret video is a hoot. But it has to be every time Melody’s stepbrother is on screen. Ben Cohen is amazing, every line he has is a zinger, and I love that he has decided to monetise his dysfunctional family.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Kyra Wisely & Isaac Ramirez - because they have to build an instant connection, and take us straight to a ‘they can’t live without each other’ love. And they nail it, phenomenal performances from both, and one of the best on screen pairings in verticals I have ever seen.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Soma Helmi | 2026

Available on CandyJar