Winx is a cartoon show I’d only ever heard of but never watched myself. I’m not sure whether I was too old when it came out or whether it’s just the fact that fairies don’t interest me very much. Personally, I think it’s the latter. Nevertheless, when I saw that Netflix had brought out a teen drama version of it, I was compelled to check it out.
The main protagonist is Bloom. A fairy who had lived a normal life with her parents in America up until she had started a fire in her house, almost killing her parents in the process. That’s when she ended up in the ‘otherworld’ at an academy for fairies. The series follows her journey in this world to discover who she really is. She makes friends (and enemies) along the way. That’s where I’ll leave the explanation.
This series isn’t particularly complex which can make it feel slightly tedious but it’s like any teen drama. I think it was done in the right amount of episodes and is perfect for watching in one go (if you have the time). It definitely feels like a teen drama and they’ve created the stereotypical characters and relationships. You’ve got the princess/perfect one, the geeky one, the sporty one, the manipulative one, and the love interest. Looks just like a normal school with the exception of magic. There are also these creatures that are trying to get in the school but to me, aside from the jump scares, they don’t hold much weight.
It’s all quite predictable but the one thing that is nice is to see the girls connecting by the end of it. Often, the rivalry between girls is such a big issue in real life as well as in teen dramas, but in this show, it was overcome quite quickly. The problems the girls have with one another are overcome by honesty and there’s no real ill intention to cause harm. One of the reasons this is so important is that I feel it will help younger girls see that they are supposed to help and support one another, not let jealousy take control.
Personally, I love romance stories and this series was lacking a little bit. They tried to include it but the connection felt forced, there was no real chemistry and it didn’t really lead anywhere. It also felt a bit too grown up given they are supposed to be like sixteen. I understand that there are romances in school but the moral predicaments didn’t sit well with me.
There are two major redeeming factors. One is that the acting is decent. The characters are believable enough and although there are awkward moments with dialogue, that’s to be expected from teenagers. Especially those trying to impress one another. The second redeeming factor is the fact that you want to find out what is going on. A show can't be that bad if it makes you want to get the answers to some questions. Admittedly, this show wants to keep you guessing with various plotlines, and that means that none of the plotlines allow you to connect with them fully. Nevertheless, there are questions that need to be answered.
Overall, it’s worth a watch if you like teen dramas and that kind of thing. It’s got a similar feel to Twilight but without the romantic connection. If you’re looking for a good story, this isn’t it but it is something that’s good to watch on an evening.
My rating - 5.5/10