The Perfect Spiral

starring: VICTORIA ANDRUNIK, JARED STRAUB & TRAVIS LONG

When a studious college girl retreats to a vacation house with her lifelong best friends, two NFL star brothers, she's forced to choose between the man who's always shown up and the one who never stopped wanting her.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Passionflix led the way with bringing romance books to screen, but I found their adaptations could be a bit ponderous, and acting could be all over the place

@watchcandyjar have perfected it, with this smart, tight adaptation. They have managed to find stars who look the part, can deliver the emotions, are willing to take shirts off a lot and have the time to build a compelling story. I do appreciate that this vert is back over 40 episodes, the ones that are less than 40 have felt too short.

What I like about these adaptations is it is standard romance with a love triangle, where the 'bad boy' has more depth & emotion than he lets on, but the other characters are developed too. There is a super bit where mum identifies what is really going on with Wes, and Alex always has her own agency and never comes across as annoying (something that became a problem with Belly in TSITP).

Everyone is super

@victoria.andrunik Alex is likeable and fun

@travisgarretlong has some interesting moments as Wes, where he shows that there is a bit more insecurity there, rather than overconfident charm

@jeff_flawless takes ones for the team, and is super in his short scenes

@therealbencohen brings the much needed lighter touch to stop it all getting too overwrought

@branderoderick is frankly iconic as mum Delilah, who sees everyone oh so clearly

And this is the role @jared.staub has been waiting for - he has this amazing edgy manic energy (can very much see him playing the Joker) but also gets to do the sensitive stuff, with a really strong scene at the end where there is a total lack of vanity as he finally tells Alex how he really feels.

It really is proof that if you have a decent script and trust people to deliver you can end up with a super project like this.

Honestly CandyJar make it look so easy - we know it isn't because there are so many fails out there.

But yep, another top notch project.

With a lingering nod to certain food items which you all know I will appreciate. More berries on screen.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

There are 2 ways to do steamy verticals. There are the BDSM / sex toy / self pleasure storylines which I run a mile from. Or this approach - where it is all in looks, and longing, and yearning, and a lot of focus on eating food, and shirts off. Everyone steams up the screen here, without ever having to go to crass, crude or clumsy. Much prefer this approach.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

See if a story is well written you don't need a pantomime villain - there is enough to overcome here with the emotions we all feel - self doubt, jealousy and fear.

😂 Comedy gold:

Poor douchebag Drew He takes a few hits t the nose, and very much enjoyed his bar hook up immediately apologising to Alex and calling out Drew. Plus Andy brings all the sass as the best friend who says it as it is.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Wes and Knox's mum, who is never seen without a drink in her hand, knows exactly what is going on, is the best confidant for Alex, and has a joyous moment where she talks to her 2 hulking NFL sons as if they were toddlers and has to get them to play nicely together.

✍🏼 DETAILS

2026

Available on CandyJar