Freeridge review: Netflix delivers a hilarious On My Block spin-off

In the wave of nostalgic spin-offs/reboots/revivals that has nearly drowned out original debuts over the past few years, there are valid worries about whether an On My Block offshoot could capture the magic of that underrated Netflix coming-of-age gem. Thankfully, Freeridge is a genuine delight for superfans of OMB that also claims its place as a heartfelt, uproarious teen comedy in its own right.

The show builds on a series of Easter eggs set up in the final episodes of its predecessor, following a new group of Freeridge High students, including three of the four original actors who played the next-generation friend group in the On My Block series finale. Gloria (Keyla Monterroso Mejia), Demi (Ciera Riley Wilson), and Cameron (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) are a tight threesome entering sophomore year and their biggest dilemma at the start of the series is dealing with Gloria’s caustic younger sister Ines (Bryana Salaz) and Cameron’s clingy boyfriend Andre (Zaire Adams). Over the course of the frenetic pilot, the crew gets wrapped up in a curse that connects back to the events of the prior series, including the addition of Abuelita actress Peggy Blow in a series-regular role that is a spoiler in and of itself.

The spin-off wastes no time getting back in the Southern California neighborhood of Freeridge, dropping viewers into a schoolyard fight that immediately dispels concerns about the new show’s ability to capture the vibe of the original. The joke-a-minute pacing coupled with skillful introductions to the new characters show how well-crafted the slightly magical world is, as the series unfurls a more stylized and confident version of their dramatic teenage antics. Even though the episodes are filled with nods to the past series and appearances from familiar characters, Freeridge immediately establishes itself as a novel tale of adolescent joy in the face of real-life sorrow, thanks in large part to its extremely charming cast.

Mejia, who’s best known from her scene-stealing guest spots on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Abbott Elementary, shines as Gloria, the determined group leader who isn’t afraid to lay down some tough love (or a knockout punch) to anyone who disrespects her. Unfortunately, much of that disrespect comes from Gloria’s own sister, who channels her grief from her mother’s death into being an equal-opportunity agent of chaos. The sisters go at each other’s throats and have each other’s backs in equal measure, a dynamic portrayed with impressive chemistry and vulnerability by both Mejia and Salaz. Rounding out the new core four are spiritual future bruja Demi and bisexual serial monogamist Cam, with confident-yet-unsure Dre stepping into Jasmine’s hanger-on shoes. That’s already a stellar set of main characters, without even mentioning Gloria and Ines’ entrepreneurial Tío Tonio (J.R. Villareal) and his teenage assistant Rusty (Michael Solomon).