Netflix’s latest YA sports romance, Finding Her Edge, promised a mix of icy competition, tangled relationships, and heartfelt family moments. Based on Jennifer Iacopelli’s novel, the series follows the highs and lows of a young ice dancer navigating both the rink and her personal life. While its skating sequences and family drama offer depth, the central romance never quite finds its footing.
Story
At the heart of Finding Her Edge is Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys), a driven competitive ice dancer tasked with forming a new partnership with the rebellious Brayden Elliot (Cale Ambrozic). Complications arise when Adriana’s former partner and childhood love, Freddie (Olly Atkins), returns with Riley (Millie Davis) — who also happens to be one of Adriana’s closest friends.
Outside the rink, the Russo family faces mounting challenges: a father drowning in debt, an older sister battling post-injury doubts, and lingering grief over the loss of their mother. Despite a built-in love triangle, the romance feels underdeveloped, leaving viewers more invested in the family’s struggles than Adriana’s romantic choices.
Performances
Madelyn Keys delivers a grounded portrayal of Adriana, balancing ambition with vulnerability. Cale Ambrozic’s Brayden emerges as the standout, showing character growth and undeniable chemistry with Keys both on and off the ice. In contrast, Freddie’s presence is underwhelming, with his backstory and emotional connection to Adriana barely explored. Interestingly, Freddie’s best scenes come not with Adriana, but in moments of mutual respect and support with Brayden.
Supporting performances shine in the Russo family dynamic. Alexandra Beaton’s Elise is a layered depiction of an athlete grappling with fear, jealousy, and self-worth, while Alice Malakhov’s Maria injects energy and humor, offering a refreshing counterpoint to her sisters’ competitive drive.
Behind the Scenes
While Finding Her Edge doesn’t reinvent the YA genre, it benefits from its sports-centric setting, lending authenticity to training montages and performance sequences. The series leans into familiar tropes—love triangles, rivalries, fake dating—but doesn’t fully capitalize on them due to uneven character development.
The strongest writing comes in exploring grief and sibling relationships, with heartfelt exchanges between the Russo sisters often outweighing the romance plot. This emotional grounding gives the show a sincerity rarely found in similar teen dramas.
Final Verdict
Finding Her Edge isn’t flawless—its romantic storyline feels rushed and unearned—but it delivers enough emotional depth through its family drama to keep viewers engaged. The skating backdrop provides visual flair, and standout performances ensure that, despite predictable twists and occasional cheesy dialogue, the series remains watchable.
For fans of YA dramas who value character growth and sibling bonds over swoon-worthy romance, Finding Her Edge offers a heartfelt, if imperfect, binge.
