Strings Attached

starring: EVA PARI, XAVIER GUTIERREZ & SAM HUNTSMAN

When small-town songwriter Sadie Skye goes viral overnight, she's swept into the wild world of LA influencers, messy love triangles, and music industry drama, where chasing fame could cost her both her dream school and the boy who's always known the real her.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I endlessly have people telling me this or that project is the future of vertical dramas. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't

@knockout.shorts are leading the way - their bio says premier studio for short form storytelling and so far there first 2 projects out on @dramabox_official have been v good

This is a gorgeous YA romance, that looks at the struggle to work out who you are and what you want, and brings in new ideas as Sadie gets a taste of LA influencer culture which provides both comedy moments and pathos as you see how disconnected everyone is

@eva.pari does a great job as Sadie, she isn't always likeable but she is 💯 real, the most heartbreaking moments are when she misses her mom and you see how lost she is

@sam.huntsman is super as mercurial Havok - sufficient charisma to show how he has built his platform, but then hints of a hollowness under the facade. Does he even know himself what the truth is?

@xavies_g has the less showy role of Nico, but delivered everything needed and more, making Nico distant enough at the beginning that he doesn't seem the perfect option, and then slowly letting Sadie and the audience in.

Love @sonyarao_ as the ultimate supportive bestie

And @ryancarnes1 has some good moments as a dad with no idea how to connect with his daughter

Best of all the singing is genuine here, it is raw and has meaning. It is not too polished, this feels a little rough around the edges and I love that. Not the plastic, candy colour appearance that some verticals have.

This is so good, a vertical with something to say, fresh talent, no unnecessary violence / abuse, flawed real characters, and a super romance at the heart of it

Bravo to all the team director @naomichristie

Go watch this now on Dramabox.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

To be honest that Nico sticks with Sadie even when she is being hard work, and a bit of a brat. He has faith in her, knows who she is, and takes on a very big bouncer to ensure she is safe. Plus the leads perfectly capture the awkwardness and sweetness of first love.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Sadie struggles with her father, and we are not clear on whether Kid Havok is good or bad - because this is so well written, both are rounded, flawed characters rather than cardboard but out villains.

😂 Comedy gold:

When Kid Havok's parents turn up looking for Harold .... perfection

🎺 Unsung hero:

Bestie (Sonya Rao) who is endlessly supportive and borrows her stepmonster's car to help Sadie out.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Naomi Christie | 2026

Available on DramaBox