REVIEW: 'Motorheads' Drives On The Road To Glory
- Moriba Forde
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Get ready, get set, watch Motorheads on Prime Video! The fresh teen drama about young love, family, and tragedy in a history rooted in engines and motor oil races full speed ahead in storytelling with heart and soul along for the ride.
Created by John A. Norris, the series follows twins Zack and Caitlyn Torres, who move with their single mom to her hometown Rust Belt to live with their uncle. While adjusting to their new environment, they strike a bond with two fellow outcasts through a love for automobiles. The plot thickens as the twins learn more about their missing father, Christian Maddox, who is treated like an urban myth, as he is known for becoming an unstoppable force in any vehicle he drives. Whether the twins set out to escape their father's shadow or rebuild his legacy, one thing is clear: legends don't need trophies.
Motorheads is a love letter to the first car anyone has ever driven. Our first cars, or motorcycles for some people, are rites of passage. Many of us remember putting the key in the ignition as the first time we tasted freedom to go anywhere, any time, always ready for a new experience. It is a special feeling familiarized by the creator John A. Norris throughout the season with the help of the fresh faces in front of the coming-of-age series. Through the eyes of the talented cast, we experience that magic all over again.
The Winning Crew
Motorheads stars Michael Cimino and Melissa Colazzo as Zack and Caitlyn Torres, Uriah Shelton as Curtis Young, Nicholas Cantu as Marcel, Ryan Phillippe as Uncle Logan Maddox, and Nathalie Kelley as Samantha Torres. Additional cast members include Mia Healey, Drake Rodger, Josh Macqueen, and Johnna Dias-Watson. The first four can give the Fantastic Four a run for their money. Individually, they are electric. Together, they are unstoppable.
The Torres twins lead the four with the season to the end of the line. Michael Cimino's Zack Torres is a charismatic rebel who stands against bullies despite being unsure of his place in the world. He has the right nuance to set him apart from reluctant heroes and alpha males who brood for no reason, making him the ideal protagonist for this YA series. Melissa Colazzo can make a case for her character Caitlyn Torres being the superior twin. She is fierce, outspoken, and compassionate with a maternal-like instinct. Unlike her brother, she knows exactly who she is and where she stands; she is more concerned with figuring out her family's history to do right by their legacy.
Uriah Shelton and Nicholas complete and complement the crew as Curtis Young and Marcel. Shelton's Curtis walks with a quiet confidence, troubled past, and noble heart, making him a fitting soldier, loyal friend, and interesting character. He easily could have been the generic bad boy found in every YA drama. Fortunately, that's not the case here as Shelton infuses the character with a unique personality that blends nicely with his comrades. Cantu's Marcel is the odd one in. Yes, I know what I said. Marcel is a socially awkward young man with a mouth that moves ahead of his brain. He's sporadic, brilliant, and more talented than he realizes. His friends know his worth and help him grow in character while he stays loyal to them, like a family.
The Legend's Shadow
The legacy of Christian Maddox looms over Rust Belt throughout the season. Anytime his name is mentioned, the common town folk react like he is either Voldemort or Batman. Other than flashbacks, Maddox is an unseen character with a big presence that drives the plot forward, no pun intended. Residents think they know his story, but they only know bits and pieces. There's only a handful of people who were with Christian the day he vanished, and they do not even have the full picture.
While the Torres twins grapple with the impact their mysterious father left on the town, their uncle, Logan(Ryan Phillippe), carries a heavy heart, weighed by grief and regret. Philippe makes Logan's turmoil known, while showing how it motivates his responsibilities to the only family he has left.
Lights, Motors, Action!
Motorheads balances substance and style seamlessly. The cars mirror each character, serving as allegories for their personal journeys. You can feel the connection the drivers have with their cars as it becomes evident that they are extensions of themselves. If eyes are window to their souls, then their souls are cars. The visual effects and editing provide an immersive experience into their world, putting you in the passenger's seat.
The vehicle stunt sequences are meticulously orchestrated with love and devotion. Most of the time we see our characters behind the wheel, doing what they love, we see art come alive at the hands of adrenaline and direction.
I look forward to rewatching Motorheads when it releases on Prime Video. The time I spent with the Torres/Maddox family and their friends was wonderful and exciting. This coming-of-age series has a heartwarming quality, not commonly found in modern YA dramas. It uses the motor world to tell an emotionally rich story about embracing your roots, reconciling with your past, and honouring legacy on your own terms.
Rating: ★★★★☆
About Motorheads
Premiere Date:Â May 20th, 2025
Episode Count:Â 10
Showrunner: John A. Norris
Writer: John A. Norris
Executive Producers: John A. Norris, Jason Seagraves, Ruben Fleischer,
Directors: John A. Norris, Neil Burger, Ryan Zaragoza,
Production:Â Amazon MGM Studios
Distribution:Â Prime Video
Cast:Â Ryan Phillippe, Nathalie Kelley, Michael Cimino, Melissa Collazo, Uriah Shelton, Nicolas Cantu, Drake Rodger, Josh Macqueen, Mia Healey, Johnna Dias-Watson
Synopsis: Motorheads follows twins and fellow outsiders forming an unlikely bond over their devotion to cars and the high octane world of street racing, while learning how to survive high school and finding answers to tough questions on a road to redemption.