‘Elle’ Season 1 Review: A Nostalgic Prequel That Struggles to Find Its Own Voice
Twenty-five years after a pink convertible rolled into Harvard Yard, Prime Video takes us back in time with ‘Elle’. The series transports viewers to 1995, four years before its protagonist ever opened a law book, as a sixteen-year-old Elle Woods is uprooted from her sunny Bel Air life and thrust into the flannel and rain of Seattle. While Reese Witherspoon returns as executive producer, the lead role is taken on by newcomer Lexi Minetree, with creator Laura Kittrell crafting an eight-episode season centered on family turmoil, teenage romance, and an unexpected amateur investigation.
The premise piqued my interest right away. Transforming Elle Woods into a coming-of-age heroine before she steps into a courtroom is an intriguing twist. The show clearly grasps what made the original so cherished, leaning heavily into the character’s optimism, loyalty, and her determination to stand tall.
However, as the season progresses, some flaws become apparent. ‘Elle’ often revisits the same emotional themes as its predecessor, including the classic fish-out-of-water narrative, moments of underestimation, and the eventual realization that pink and brains can coexist. Watching a teenager relearn lessons she’s destined to encounter again at twenty-two makes the season feel less like an origin story and more like a rehearsal for a performance we’ve already witnessed.
Minetree deserves commendation for her performance. She captures the unique rhythm of Elle’s optimism, where a compliment can serve as a strategy and a smile can act as armor, without veering into parody. Her chemistry with the supporting cast, especially a scene-stealing chihuahua destined to be called Bruiser, provides some of the season’s warmest moments, and the subtle connections to the films are often well-executed.
Yet, the show struggles with trusting its own narrative instincts. Instead of allowing teenage Elle to exist authentically, the writers frequently add plot elements borrowed from the film, including underdressed party scenes, fashion-based deductions, and a mystery subplot that fails to justify its presence. The tonal identity also falters, never fully embracing either the vibrant comic energy of the original or the more grounded family drama it occasionally attempts, leaving some episodes feeling padded rather than purposeful.
The family dynamics are also hit or miss. Elle’s parents are intended to shed light on her values and contradictions, but neither performance offers enough depth to feel essential. A central romantic subplot mainly serves to tether Elle to her past rather than develop into a relationship worth investing in. The humor, when it appears, is pleasant but sparse, and the show seems more focused on earnest teen drama than the sharp comedic timing that made its predecessor a cultural icon.
As the season concludes its mystery and sets the stage for a second season already greenlit by the streamer, ‘Elle’ demonstrates it can replicate the essence of what came before without fully justifying why this particular chapter needed to be told. It is enjoyable, well-cast, and occasionally charming, but it rarely feels essential, which is crucial when inviting an audience to revisit a character they already know intimately.
When viewed as its own coming-of-age story rather than a direct extension of the ‘Legally Blonde’ universe, there is enough warmth and personality to make the season worth watching, especially for fans of the original film. While it doesn’t reach the heights of its inspiration and often relies on familiar beats instead of carving its own path, Minetree’s performance and a few genuinely sweet moments prevent it from being a total misfire. I’m giving it a score of 6 out of 10, a season that glides more than it soars but still possesses enough charm to make a second round worth checking out.
Did ‘Elle’ win you over or leave you wishing it had stayed in the past? Share your thoughts in the comments.