Amazon Prime Video's new prequel series Elle, based on the Legally Blonde franchise, has shot to the number two spot on the streamer's top 10 film and TV ranking despite widespread critical and fan skepticism. The eight-episode show, which premiered this week, stars Kexi Minetree as a teenage Elle Woods before her iconic Harvard Law journey.
Show's Premise and Initial Reception
Set in the 1990s, Elle follows the pink-loving protagonist living in Bel Air with her rescue chihuahua Bruiser. When her parents announce a move to Seattle, Elle enrolls at a school called Grunge High, where her vibrant style clashes with the local aesthetic. The fish-out-of-water narrative showcases Elle's trademark optimism and determination.
Despite its rapid climb in viewer rankings, the series has garnered a lackluster 55 percent rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The Telegraph's scathing review stated: 'Nobody asked for a prequel to Legally Blonde, but now we have one because – ker-ching! – there is money to be made from rinsing the original.'
Fan Backlash Over Storyline Inconsistencies
In the days leading up to the release, TV fans voiced concerns on Reddit and social media. Many argued that exploring Elle's life as a successful lawyer would have been more compelling, and that the prequel undermines the transformative arc of the 2001 film.
User @TheTresStateArea tweeted: 'No one wants pre-law school Elle Woods. We want Elle Woods, attorney at law, partner of a firm. Elle Woods Supreme Court Justice.' Reddit user @BungeeGump wrote: 'The prequel premise directly contradicts the original film. The point of the movie was that Elle left her bubble of comfort for the very first time by going to Harvard. The movie doesn't make sense and loses all impact if Elle has left her bubble before.'
Another Reddit user, @tsumtsumelle, echoed: 'When I first saw the trailer I was shocked at the Seattle reveal because it makes no sense given her story in the movies. It really seems like someone wanted to make a Seattle in the 90s show but were told it had to connect to an existing IP so they shoehorned Elle into it.'
Viewership Success Despite Criticism
Despite the negative reviews and fan gripes, Amazon Prime subscribers have flocked to the series, propelling it to the second-most-watched title on the platform. The show's strong performance suggests that audience curiosity and nostalgia for the Legally Blonde franchise have driven initial viewership.
Elle is now available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
