Fate: The Winx Saga

Alfea College fairies

Fate: The Winx Saga (2021) on Netflix

Sixteen year-old Bloom starts her fairy training at Alfea College, a boarding school in the luscious Otherworld realm. Bloom, who is from California and has human parents, is completely new to Otherworld, its customs, and even her own powers as a fire fairy. In addition to mastering her magical abilities, Bloom must tackle ancient monsters, new romance, and fierce rivalries with the help (and hindrance) of her fellow classmates.

Personally, I love a boarding school drama, even if this particular one has not received critical acclaim. One of the main points of the first episode, “magic is linked to emotion,” feels quite definitive of the teenage experience! The series focuses on the development of personal, social, and supernatural identities and confronts other common teenage themes like bullying, parental relationships, and self-esteem. The gorgeous Irish setting adds to the pleasing visuals as well. I wouldn’t consider Fate appealing to a mass teenage audience, but it might serve as a consolation for the (now cancelled) Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series.

Check out the trailer:

LOOKING FOR MORE? (OR SOMETHING ELSE?)
Why don't you...

- Consider this incredible discussion about the debatable casting and aesthetic choices of Fate

- Listen to the Fate: The Winx Saga two-part podcast episode on Not So Critically Acclaimed