KLASS 95: The Power Of Beauty Review: Slow Paced Telenovela That’s All Over the Place

Netflix’s KLASS 95: The Power of Beauty is a Colombian telenovela based on real-life historical events. It takes viewers into the exciting but risky world of modelling in the 1990s. The show tells the story of Shaio Domínguez, a driven woman who aims to create Colombia’s first famous modelling agency. As she works her way through the fashion industry, she learns that beauty can lift people up but also ruin lives, showing her the real price of fame and ambition.

Written by Juana Uribe and Sebastián Sánchez the Netflix series consists of 24 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 50 minutes.

Note: This review is based on episodes 1-6 out of a total of 24 episodes.

-No Spoilers-

KLASS 95: The Power Of Beauty Review

Klass 95: The Power of Beauty takes us through the highs and lows of Colombia’s modelling industry in the 1990s, centring around Shaio Domínguez, a woman who harnesses the power of beauty to build an empire. The show kicks off with promise, pulling viewers into a world where fame and fortune go hand in hand with manipulation and ambition. However, what starts as a glamorous rise soon devolves into a frustratingly drawn-out telenovela that loses steam as it progresses.

Óscar Lourdy, a character who documents his own experiences, serves as both a narrator and participant in KLASS 95: The Power of Beauty. His role is intriguing because he doesn’t just observe the events; he actively films himself while telling the audience the story of Shaio Domínguez and the rise of her modelling empire.

However, the show’s pacing quickly becomes an issue. With 24 episodes, KLASS 95 drags its feet through too many storylines, and this overabundance of subplots leads to a disjointed narrative. There’s always something happening, but often, it feels like the show is spinning its wheels rather than moving forward in a meaningful way. Scenes that should pack an emotional punch often fall flat because the storytelling feels repetitive, and the length dilutes the impact.

At the heart of the show is Shaio herself, played brilliantly by Nicole Santamaría. She captures the evolution of her character from a confident, successful woman to someone unravelling under the weight of her choices. Shaio’s arc is intriguing — she learns that while beauty can grant access to fame, wealth, and power, it can also be a curse. Her realization that the things she values most are slipping from her grasp is portrayed with raw emotion, and Santamaría’s performance grounds the entire show.

However, while Shaio’s character is well-developed, the same cannot be said for the supporting cast. Characters like Berny Gómez (David Palacio) and Nicolás Rocha (Carlos Báez) feel more like accessories to Shaio’s journey than fully fleshed-out individuals. Their presence adds little to the narrative, and their lack of depth makes it hard to invest in their struggles or care about their outcomes.

As the show trudges forward, we see Shaio struggle not only with her professional life but also with personal relationships and her own mental state. The pressure of maintaining her agency, the shifting dynamics with the people around her, and the consequences of her ambition create an atmosphere of tension. But much like the pacing, this tension doesn’t always translate effectively. The narrative stretches on, and instead of intensifying the stakes, it begins to feel like the same issues are being rehashed over and over without resolution.

One of the show’s more compelling aspects is its exploration of the dark side of the modelling industry. KLASS 95 doesn’t shy away from showing how beauty can be both a gift and a weapon and how it is often wielded by those in power to exploit others. The series exposes the toxic environment that Shaio both creates and falls victim to, where beauty becomes a commodity and power dynamics are constantly in play. Yet, even this thematic richness isn’t enough to save the show from its structural issues.

Viewers might find themselves frustrated by the lack of narrative focus. While the series tries to balance different points of interest — from the rise of Shaio’s empire to the unravelling of her personal life — it often feels like the show is torn between wanting to be a glamorous telenovela and a serious drama. This lack of clear direction leaves the viewer feeling unmoored, unsure whether to root for Shaio or to see her inevitable downfall.

Another sticking point for the series is the overwhelming sense of repetition. While KLASS 95 is filled with moments of tension and drama, the constant cycle of Shaio rising and falling, only to rise again, becomes exhausting. The show’s runtime could have been significantly trimmed to deliver a tighter, more engaging story that doesn’t lose itself in its own ambition.

Final Thoughts

KLASS 95: The Power of Beauty offers an interesting look at Colombia’s modelling industry, with some standout moments and strong performances, particularly from Nicole Santamaría. However, its overly long runtime, unfocused narrative, and tendency to dwell too much on the same themes make it a challenging watch. For those who enjoy telenovelas with plenty of drama, betrayal, and power plays, this show might hit the right notes. But for others seeking a more nuanced and tightly crafted series, this series may feel like a frustrating journey into a world that doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

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