Zero Chill - A Netflix Series Review

Always skate towards your dreams.

Skating its ways onto Netflix in 2021, Zero Chill revolves around a set of teenagers who want to be the best at their passions. Fighting to gain achievements and attention, they all learn a lesson about how essential it is to follow your heart.

Media dedicated to the subject of ice skating has piqued my interest. Taking a chance with the Netflix series, Zero Chill, the series reflects how we should choose passions that we desire. Although this theme is prominent, Zero Chill tends to lose its direction.

Grace Beedie and Dakota Taylor were the highlights. Each desiring a goal in the skating world, I like how persistent Kayla and Mac are. Beedie was especially memorable in her expressive countenance, reflecting how she feels about her pathway.

Part of me wishes that the series could have just been about them, instead of inserting other subjects. More could have been constructed with Sky (Jade Ma) instead of this love-friendship triangle. Writers missed an opportunity with her disease.

No matter your gender, anyone can play a sport. Although it was a good premise, writers struggled with Ava’s (Anastazia Chocholata) storyline where she becomes the first female on a boy’s hockey team. I liked this storyline, but it was not carried out well.

Other credits include Jeremias Amoore, Leonardo Fontes, Sarah-Jane Potts, Doug Rao, Oscar Skagerberg, Stan Steinbichler, and a whole ensemble of skaters who dedicated hours to shooting ice hockey sequences or figure skating.

More could have been done with the adult characters. Most of them are only here as roadblocks to the kids and their dreams like Kayla and Mac’s parents. Tanja Ribic (Elina) gave a strong performance as a coach that some will find relatable in their journey through sports or any of their passions.

As I have mentioned there are too many subplots in Zero Chill. There is one subplot that is not related to skating at all. Although it was heartwarming, the scenario where a father is searching for a house for him and his two sons deserved another series entirely. And I am still trying to figure out why a laser tag sequence was included when this series is about skating.

The story and script could have been stronger. The series needed more work before being broadcast. More time could have been given to develop characters. For example, it would have been interested to learn more about Kayla’s background. We’re never given a clear reason why she and her family had to move.

The cast dedicated incredible hours showing off their skating talents. We can do whatever we want on the ice whether it is figure skating or ice hockey. Although more research could have been done to present an accurate depiction of how a figure skating competition works.

Filming for Zero Chill took place in Ice Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The series gave viewers a chance to indulge in cool settings and location spots around England.

Kirstie Falkous and John Regier had a great premise in mind but they put in too many subplots that distract us from the main concept. The best message to come out of Zero Chill is that you should never follow somebody’ else’s dream to get to your own. That really spoke to me and made me think. Have fun with your hobby.

If you are in search of a new series on Netflix and want to check it out, take a look at Zero Chill. If there is a season 2 I’ll be interested to see where it goes. Zero Chill exhibits impressive skating techniques.