Is "age just a number"? Netflix wants to find out.
Netflix is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of reality TV, but its upcoming dating show is already drawing fire months ahead of its release.
The new series, titled Age of Attraction, aims to test whether “love is ageless” by pairing American singles across decades-wide age gaps.
Produced by Velvet Hammer Media (the company behind The Big Bakeover and Best Bite Wins), the show is scheduled for release in 2026. Filming took place in the picturesque locations of Whistler and Vancouver in Canada.
Described as an eight-episode social experiment, Age of Attraction brings together participants ranging in age from 22 to 59.
Its tagline “potential matches will see if age is just a number” has already raised red flags across social media, with many questioning the ethical implications of promoting romantic relationships between individuals at such drastically different life stages.
Controversial Pairings and Familiar Concerns
While the streaming giant markets the show as another bingeworthy twist on modern dating, critics say Age of Attraction may be packaging exploitation as entertainment.
"Netflix seems so desperate to me lately. Like they’re grasping for anything that might go viral and in the process putting out a bunch of tacky shows,"
wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
“If they have a 22-year-old dating anyone above 30, I will lose my mind,”
commented another.
Romantic relationships with large age gaps often cause alarm due to the potential issues surrounding power dynamics and informed consent.
Sociologists argue that romantic partners should be relatively equal in terms of their emotional and intellectual development. This balance is rarely found in pairings between 20-somethings and 50-somethings.
Historically, such dynamics have largely involved older men and younger women, reinforcing long-standing patriarchal patterns of controlling female autonomy. Critics argue that modern dating shows, while seemingly entertaining, perpetuate these imbalances under the guise of entertainment.That's how some people on Reddit see it, too. One user summed up their disdain for the concept as follows:
“Ugh. I do not want to watch a show about men and their child brides.”
When an older person dates someone who is significantly younger, especially someone who has just reached legal adulthood, it may sometimes, while not exclusively, signal a desire for control or validation.
An older partner may have significantly more financial security or social capital, which could result in manipulation or coercion of the younger partner, making them reliant on them.
The Legacy of “Trophy Love”
The 'age-gap romance' has a long and complicated cultural legacy. It is often romanticized on screen, yet scrutinized in real life.
Similar concepts have been explored on local TV and in shows such as Age Gap Love, which is available on Netflix in some regions. However, critics argue that the platform’s global reach makes this latest iteration far more impactful and potentially harmful.
The show’s choice of moderators: Bachelor Nation alum Nick Viall and his wife Natalie Joy, a couple with a notable age gap (being 19 and 37 when they first got in contact), who met on a dating show themselves also drew criticism. Their age-gap-relationship, which began after Viall appeared multiple times on The Bachelor franchise, has long been a topic of debate, with some questioning whether it is appropriate to celebrate relationships that began when one partner was still a teenager.
A Reddit user commented on the choice of moderators:
“Him being publicly rewarded with a show for dating a teenager, or a freshly 20-something at the very least, is actually disturbing.”
While some argue that age-gap relationships can work, particularly when both individuals are mature adults, the show's focus on extremes is online labeled as designed to shock rather than explore the issue meaningfully.
“Leo DiCaprio would love this show,”
joked one user, making a reference to the actor’s infamous dating history involving much younger women.
Age of Attraction is expected to premiere sometime in 2026, though no exact release date has been confirmed.
Netflix, for its part, has yet to issue a response to the growing online backlash.
What do you think? Is love truly ageless, or is Netflix pushing boundaries best left untested?
Tell us in the comments!