Ryan Phillippe’s Car-Centered YA Drama ‘Motorheads’ Crashes and Burns: TV Review

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Hailing from the creative mind of John A. Norris, the latest YA drama on Prime Video titled “Motorheads” focuses on themes of racing, legacy, and life-altering decisions. The show revolves around siblings Caitlyn (played by Melissa Collazo) and Zac Torres (portrayed by Michael Cimino), along with their mother Samantha (Nathalie Kelley). They relocate from Brooklyn to the ailing town of Ironwood in the Rust Belt, which was once home to Samantha. As they grapple with the mid-high school move, they are excited to reunite with their uncle Logan (Ryan Phillippe) and discover more about their absent father, Christian Maddox. The show touches upon several classic growing-up themes, but its large cast (many of whom seem unnecessary) and lack of clear direction keep “Motorheads” from reaching its full potential.

The series “Motorheads” commences with a duo of drivers, among them Christian, speeding along a city street. In an instant, the narrative leaps to the present day. We find ourselves following Zac, Caitlyn and Sam as they enter Ironwood, a town where Caitlyn yearns for a new beginning, while Zac harbors reservations about making a name for himself in a place haunted by the legend of their father. However, his apprehension dissipates swiftly upon encountering Alicia (played by Mia Haeley), a friendly and inviting girl grappling with her own relationship issues. Unsurprisingly, Harris (Josh Macqueen), Alicia’s boorish boyfriend who controls much of the local real estate, takes issue with Zac’s arrival.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way:

Amidst my encounters with Harris and his band of bullies, the twins forge an unbreakable bond with Marcel, our awkward next-door neighbor who yearns for companionship. Meanwhile, Caitlyn unearths an old Citron Charger that once belonged to Christian, persuading Logan and the town’s roguish figure, Curtis (Uriah Shelton), to help her revamp it. Tensions escalate when Zac and Harris engage in a race challenge, and Curtis’ older brother, Ray (Drake Rodger), a shady character, gets drawn into the mix, raising the stakes even higher.

Car aficionados will find plenty to appreciate in “Motorheads”. Throughout the series, stunning vehicles are abundant, with the Charger being the main focus, yet joined by Logan’s award-winning red classic Mustang and Harris’ sleek baby blue Porsche. “Motorheads” delves into various forms of racing, such as illegal street races, conventional track racing, and even an ATV competition. However, the series seems to prioritize automotive spectacle over character development and narrative progression. Regrettably, by the end of its 10-episode first season, there isn’t much story to speak of.

The main group consisting of the twins Curtis and Marcel, along with a few others, still holds our attention, but characters such as Harris, his friend Noah (Myles Erlick), and many more on the sidelines are not well-rounded or fully developed. Additionally, new characters pop up unexpectedly, seemingly to address plot gaps in both the past and present, but they mostly lack depth beyond being one-dimensional.

Harris stands out as one of the most aggravating Young Adult series villains on modern TV. Despite dealing with the recent loss of his mother, he treats everyone poorly, even his kindhearted father Darren (Matt Lanter) and Alicia. This makes it difficult for viewers to feel compassion towards him because he lacks any admirable traits. The same goes for Noah, Harris’s friend, who also seems to be devoid of effective coping skills and empathy. They are simply two troubled young men struggling to handle their emotions healthily.

The show frequently shifts its attention among various characters in Ironwood, leaving viewers feeling confused as it could have focused more on the twins, fixing Christian’s car, and uncovering his disappearance mystery. However, due to the show “Motorheads” consistently emphasizing less significant characters and events, many scenes seem redundant and unrealistic.

In the long-running series “Motorheads,” relationships, conflicts, hidden truths, and grudges span almost two decades. However, the show often strays from its original path due to overambitious storytelling. Consequently, some scenes lack cohesion, plot developments are foreseeable, and by the end of the series finale, viewers are left with more unanswered questions than satisfactory conclusions.

The 10 episodes of “Motorheads” premiere May 20 on Prime Video.

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2025-05-20 16:19