Netflix and Spill: Cheer docuseries proves cheerleading is a serious sport

Image: Netflix

“Cheer saved me.”

Before dismissing this as a melodramatic docuseries in the tone of Bring It On or Pitch Perfect, be prepared to hear the gut-wrenching stories behind the stunning smiles, fake tans and giant bows. For a routine that will only last two and a half minutes, we will follow the junior community collegiate cheer team from Navarro College across 6 episodes that has taken for some a lifetime of training. People are dropped, metaphorically and physically and just like in life, some don’t always land on their feet.

It’s about the trust in the team, led by fierce coach Monica Aldama, who is a lioness of sorts, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Queen’ by all who know her. She’s no soccer Mum; no pageant wife who stayed in Houston, Texas. A former cheerleader herself, her motivation and drive to succeed against all odds led her to graduate with a degree in finance at UT and an MBA to boot. Her boots are a symbol in themselves, demonstrating her Texan prowess and domination in the gym. Although not a tall figure, she is not one to be disrespected, but under the veneer is a maternal love for all of the cheerleaders that come under her wing. Even the local law enforcement are on her side when a girl comes into strife.

One cheerleader particularly eager to impress Monica is Morgan, a tanned people pleaser who’s a little less experienced than her counterparts. Most of her teammates are part of All Star or club-level squads, and their technique is more finessed and better executed. Her underdog story has to be the most satisfying in the series, as she maintains what Monica calls ‘the look;’ a spirit that sees her fight against exhaustion and comparison against other teammates. Morgan’s relationship with Monica is a akin to a surrogate daughter and this largely fills the gap left by her own parents who all but abandoned her.

There are more confident, vivacious and outrageous members of the squad. La’Darius Marshall is one of the best, if not the best Navarro has ever seen, and his energy levels are hilarious to watch. Considering he was a footballer at first, there’s something admirable about the level of fitness and attention to every routine he demands of himself and others. A self-confessed anti-authoritarian, he struggles to take orders and does not hesitate to pull up people for slacking off even if it’s not his place to do so. He’s part of the machine that’s evolving cheerleading, as it incorporates the skills of aerobics, gymnastics, circus and dance and transforming it into an Olympic-style pageantry.

Underneath his bravado lies a background of abuse and bullying, including from his own family. As the most vocal of the group, he’s also the most vulnerable, masking his insecurities with his outspoken diva antics. Hilarious as he is to watch, he’s not immune to personal battles that befall other members. Even “cheer-lebrity” Gabi Butler, who’s amassed a large following of her own, struggles with the pressure of being a big name and the expectations that come with it. An all rounder, she’s admired for her grace and exceptional abilities, but falls prey to online trolls and the weight of being a key puzzle piece in a very complex routine. Her busy schedule threatens to ruin the very sport she loved and has known all her life.

By the end of the series there’s a joyous but bittersweet tone to the journey. A student coach observes, “You work so hard your entire life for a moment, and some people never get that moment.” Injuries can be fickle, friendships may only last for a season and the looming question of life after graduation is fresh in the minds of everyone. The team’s work ethic and their self-accountability is a demonstrable example of the discipline learned in sport that has far-stretching and flexible consequences in life.

Cheer is definitely worth a full run-through, straight from the top.

Netflix Australia

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Shahbaz Malik

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