Word Street Journal

As the final month of 2023 unfolds, Netflix has seen a noticeable lull in its content offerings. 

In contrast to its usual robust lineup, only a handful of movies and shows have made their way onto the platform.

Among the recent additions is Cindy La Regia: The High School Years, a Mexican series adapted from a comic. 

Positioned as a teenage drama, the show aims to deliver a blend of quirkiness, heartfelt moments, and an overall feel-good experience.

With seven episodes and a total runtime of approximately three hours, the question arises: Is it worth becoming the go-to New Year binge for your family or friends? 

Here is my review.

Cindy La Regia: The High School Years Synopsis

The story focuses on Cindy, her school life, and her girl gang. She navigates through teenage issues and eventually lands in a situation that demands more than Cindy is capable of. 

The show is directed by Miguel Necoechea Jr., Indra Villaseñor Amador, and Ruth Cherem Daniel. It stars Michelle Pellicer (Cindy), Luciana Vale (Angie), Anxel Garcia (Lucia), Carola Cuaron (Tere), Vincent Webb (Max), Janneth Villarreal (Cindy’s Mother), and others.

What Works for Cindy La Regia: The High School Years?

The series deals with teenage life or high school days, as the name suggests. And the first thing such stories need to come good on is the pace because of the target audience. 

Teenagers aren’t going to stay on the screen if the speed of narration falters. It is like a prerequisite. Cindy La Regia: The High School Years gets full marks in this department. 

It briskly portrays Cindy’s school life full of friendships, love, heartbreak, unexpected encounters, and, of course, scandals. 

All the while, a soothing, heartfelt ambiance persists in the background, offering a feel-good experience. 

Also, enough vibrance makes the series delightful. It does have sparks of youth that combine to put joy into the mix. 

Moreover, Cindy La Regia: The High School Years’s screenplay is excitingly crisp. Things move fast in a very controlled manner with the story always working to its ability. 

It engages the viewer and puts them at ease. You don’t have to think much or put a lot of energy into understanding the narrative, which I think is a significant aspect of heartfelt shows.

How are the Performances?

Michelle Pellicer is the titular lead in the Mexican show. She plays Cindy with certitude and has the aura to build a network around her.

Her exemplary way of depicting a teenager is naturally interesting. She makes things casual from the outset but keeps them serious from an actor’s perspective.

Luciana Vale is Angie in Cindy La Regia: The High School Years. Her biggest strength lies in the impromptu delivery she comes up with.

You’ll be able to distinguish her from the other cast members. She acts with a lot of comfort and authenticity, which I think finds its genesis in Luciana’s comportment. 

Anxel Garcia as Lucia is another dashing actress. She has the style to enchant viewers through her screen presence. 

I loved how she carried herself throughout Cindy La Regia: The High School Years. In some of the scenes, Garcia does what you wouldn’t expect her to do.

What Doesn’t Work for Cindy La Regia: The High School Years?

The storyline treads on a very popular backdrop. Almost every other teenage show has the same features that Cindy La Regia: The High School Years has. 

You’ll miss the uniqueness of the idea and might end up finding it too predictable even for the simple drama genre.

Another thing that will disappoint you is the lack of depth. While it is important to maintain lightheartedness, one needs to form connections. 

The characters aren’t developed enough, nor do they progressively make a mark in your heart as the episodes unfold.

You watch them do things, create bonds, and find solutions. However, the absence of strong storytelling features in the writing keeps them disconnected from the viewer.

Also, the series isn’t funny in general. There are very few comedy scenes. I think it might let down certain viewers.

Furthermore, the ending of Cindy La Regia: The High School Years could have been better. 

It had the scope, the buildup, and even the stage was set but somehow the makers decided to choose otherwise.

A compelling end would have finished the first season on a high note. Obviously, the last criticism will vary from individual to individual.

Stream or Skip?

For teenagers, it is a watchable show. But I wonder if we are really going to serve them recurrent themes forever?