Is age just a number? Well, Age of Attraction on Netflix aims to answer that question.
The show features men and women in their 20s to 50s. They get to know each other via mixers, one-on-one time, and planned activities. The idea of the show is that they can find chemistry and a spark with someone, regardless of their age.
When two people decide they want to explore things further, they go to a treetop “Promise Room” and give each other promise rings. Only then are they allowed to reveal their ages to one another. If they both decide to continue, they move in together in the “real world” and will eventually meet each other’s friends and families. After all of that, they can have a dramatic mountaintop meeting and decide whether they are going to commit to each other or walk away.
In the first episode, we see quite a bit of Vanelle Femnou, who is in a love triangle with sweet Justin Silberman and Jorge Sanchez, who makes her get butterflies when he’s shirtless. Theresa DeMaria has loads of chemistry with a much younger John Merrill, unaware of how young he actually is. LibbyVodicka and AndrewWheeler are having fun, though Wheeler is left wondering whether having kids will turn Vodicka off to connecting with him. Young-looking Tristan Davis is quite forward with Erin Timm, who is both into and put off by it, worried he may be younger than her nephew.
The show will remind you of Love is Blind. Yet, this show was created by Jennifer O’Connell and Rebecca Quinn of Velvet Hammer Media.
The show does keep the air of mystery there as you watch. Though some aging is visible with grey in the hair and beard, we can also see fine lines on the face. It does work both ways, as some don’t look as young as they seem, and vice versa. The first couple is a prime example: DeMaria and Merrill. DeMaria mentions having adult children, her oldest being 29, we can only guess she is somewhere in her late 40s to early 50s. While Merrill could be anywhere from his mid-20s to late-30s, he is very mature, so it gives the air of being on the older side.
What we are wondering is how the couples and format will work in the “real world” portion of the show. The reason we put “real world” in quotes is that the contestants come from all over the country. So they move to a neutral spot that neither are familiar with. There is also the fact that the reality of the opinions of their families and friends may have an effect on the relationship.
They also may not act the same as when they were all alone at the retreat. Some flirty banter may get old. Also, the matter of wanting children may come up. Also, they are always going to have activities set up for them. Like white water rafting, a spa, or forest bathing. Forest bathing is very strange, but we could see the appeal when gaining trust. As one person is blindfolded while the other leads them and the blindfolded person uses all their other senses.
We’d also say the most worth watching interview is when Silberman gets emotional. As he is talking about possibly losing his chance to be a father. It could leave some saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” Also, Davis says, “If you’re not as hot as my mom, I’m not going to marry you,” which really rubs us the wrong way.
We aren’t the only ones with reservations about the show. Some on Twitter have already commented on it. Some are wondering if now is a good time to release a show like this. And think it’s going to be messy in both good and bad ways. Some also commented that many look like they have had work done.
Overall, if you are a fan of Love is Blind, this show is for you. The promise rings they give each other look more like wedding bands. Yet they’re only promising to be boyfriend and girlfriend. The symbolism may be too heavy for what it actually means. You can watch the first five episodes now, as of March 11, and the rest will come out weekly.
