The first thing to know about this show is that it does not claim to be realistic and it does not pretend to be a documentary on the life of young people in a juvenile prison in Naples. Once you understand this, the show will be awesome. The characters are very well done, the setting is interesting and the story is compelling. I cried with every episode. Massimiliano Caiazzo's acting is perfect.
10 Reviews
mixed feelings
holdenyou-035794 December 2023
It does hold your interest in a hard to explain way. The plot is like The Godfather for kiddies, except these "juveniles" look anything but juvenile, perhaps young adults in their mid twenties at least. They are also the best dressed juvenile delinquents. Ciro and Eduardo have a permanent frown, as all of the characters have their quirks. I have never seen so much crying and hugging as on this show between men, or supposedly boys. Carmine started with a hairy chest which got lost along the way along with him and Fillippo growing crazy helmets of hair. Another irksome thing was the repetitive soundtrack. Ok, qualms aside, the acting was good for sure, and even I shed some tears. Did I enjoy this, am I looking forward to more seasons? You bet!
Captivating
fiercecelt10 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I rated this film a 6. There is so much dysfunction, violence and darkness in this film. While the intrigue is fascinating, the Mafiosa "gangsta" violence aspect is over-played. There is little goodness, resulting in an imbalance between good and evil.
The actors, on the other hand, are superb if not superior in their respective character roles.
Massimiliano Caiazzo as Carmine is simply outstanding. He is highly versatile in portraying a multitude of emotions. Nicolas Maupas as Filippo is good, but not "outstanding". Artem Tkachuk as Pino plays well as the proverbial "bad boy". Valentina Romani as "Nad" plays well her role as a gypsy. Carolina Crescentini as Paola, director of the Juvenile Detention Center, is palpably emotive. The same can be said for Carmine Recano as Massimo, one of the Center's direcctors. The foregoing is not to diminish the performances of the other cast members.
The series held me captive as I binge-watched it. I kept hoping someone would "take out" Edoardo (Matteo Paolillo). Well, I guess we must wait for Season 4 on that one since Edoardo if left fighting for his life in the hospital after being gunned down.
I find it refreshing how the men openly and freely hug one another, often with kisses on the cheek. That behavior is very European/Italian. The easiness of one's emotions (even the negative, hostile emotions) are superbly presented.
I suspect some Italians may dislike this film as it plays to the stereotypical image of Italians as gangsters and murderers. (I am thinking about how the Italians became angry over "The Sopranos".) The only lives that have "value" are the lives of one's own family. No one else. I found that theme to be frustrating, as it was repeated time and time again. I do look forward to Season 4, which I understand is due to premiere this coming October.
The actors, on the other hand, are superb if not superior in their respective character roles.
Massimiliano Caiazzo as Carmine is simply outstanding. He is highly versatile in portraying a multitude of emotions. Nicolas Maupas as Filippo is good, but not "outstanding". Artem Tkachuk as Pino plays well as the proverbial "bad boy". Valentina Romani as "Nad" plays well her role as a gypsy. Carolina Crescentini as Paola, director of the Juvenile Detention Center, is palpably emotive. The same can be said for Carmine Recano as Massimo, one of the Center's direcctors. The foregoing is not to diminish the performances of the other cast members.
The series held me captive as I binge-watched it. I kept hoping someone would "take out" Edoardo (Matteo Paolillo). Well, I guess we must wait for Season 4 on that one since Edoardo if left fighting for his life in the hospital after being gunned down.
I find it refreshing how the men openly and freely hug one another, often with kisses on the cheek. That behavior is very European/Italian. The easiness of one's emotions (even the negative, hostile emotions) are superbly presented.
I suspect some Italians may dislike this film as it plays to the stereotypical image of Italians as gangsters and murderers. (I am thinking about how the Italians became angry over "The Sopranos".) The only lives that have "value" are the lives of one's own family. No one else. I found that theme to be frustrating, as it was repeated time and time again. I do look forward to Season 4, which I understand is due to premiere this coming October.
Enjoyable and addictive
rosaricci7 May 2023
First of all i'm gonna say don't watch this show if you're sensitive to certain topics like abuse, violence or assault.
This show is great and I honestly got addicted from the first few episodes. One thing I love about this show is that you can't tell who the main character is because everyone is given equal time to shine and everyone's story is beautifully explained. The actors are almost all newbies but the acting is awesome. The chemistry between couples (especially Gemma & Cardiotrap and Rosa & Carmine) is just perfect. Plus I love the soundtrack.
Also not gonna lie Rosa and Carmine's relationship carried the third season. I wish season 4 would come soon, can't wait to watch!
This show is great and I honestly got addicted from the first few episodes. One thing I love about this show is that you can't tell who the main character is because everyone is given equal time to shine and everyone's story is beautifully explained. The actors are almost all newbies but the acting is awesome. The chemistry between couples (especially Gemma & Cardiotrap and Rosa & Carmine) is just perfect. Plus I love the soundtrack.
Also not gonna lie Rosa and Carmine's relationship carried the third season. I wish season 4 would come soon, can't wait to watch!
Realistic and engaging
ludovicopizzicato20 February 2023
The previous review I red says that the series does not claim to be realistic. Surely it is imaginary but it is certainly very close to reality. It was a while since I didn't get involved in a good TV show. After watching Gomorra, Suburra and of course Narcos I was convinced that there wasn't much else worth to watch on that topic. I was wrong. Characters are so real and human. Their human side is investigated and analyzed with mastery. The show does not pretend to divide the world between bads an goods but investigates the psychology and social motivations of the phenomenon. Looking on a social-cultural context mixed with
teenage problems.
Great job. Can't wait to go home and watch the rest.
Of course now I'm working with two nice drawn dark circles ;)
Great job. Can't wait to go home and watch the rest.
Of course now I'm working with two nice drawn dark circles ;)
Liked season 1, but couldn't handle the cheesy melodrama in season 2
QizaiChengshi28 January 2024
I really enjoyed season 1, and found it to be really addictive, like the best prison dramas. The dramatic pull was so strong that I could easily suspend my disbelief at all the crazy goings on. However, they cranked up the melodrama in season 2 beyond my what I could handle, so I dropped it after episode 4. The death of a key character at a significant moment in a very suspicious manner, and the operatic, slow motion reactions to it was one of the last straws. I wish the creative staff had practiced a little more restraint and tastefulness. However, their strategy seems to have paid off, at least in the Italian market, even if it doesn't displeases someone like me. I'm glad I watched season 1 though.
So amazing
tcs-3127211 July 2023
I have to say the acting is phenomenal considering the actors are newbies. It's a story about love, hate and revenge. Young teenagers making mistakes and learning from them, making friends and memories along the way. The chemistry between couples like Rosa & Carmine and Cardio & Gemma is just perfect. The first season was really sad. The second season was good and the third season was the best. Rosa honestly carried the third season I love her character. I hope Edoardo ends up with Carmela. I do have to say there is a lot of unnecessary nudity in the third season. Overall i love the soundtrack and the actors. You feel sympathetic towards the characters as you watch them. It's an addicting show.
Very addictive
francescacsntn8 March 2023
In the series we often speak in Neapolitan dialect and many actors are unknown.
This thing in the first few episodes could lead us to give lower ratings than necessary.
But once the first impact is made, the plot grabs you and you realize that these young "non-professional" actors are really good. Certainly many of them play parts that are congenial to them and perhaps they would not be able to do as well in other roles but this does not detract from the wonderful acting of this work.
As you go along you can't help but continue with the next episode and now I'm waiting for the new season to come out.
Even in Italy we know how to do beautiful things, even with not all professional actors and even when the budget is not millionaires.
Well done, really good everyone.
This thing in the first few episodes could lead us to give lower ratings than necessary.
But once the first impact is made, the plot grabs you and you realize that these young "non-professional" actors are really good. Certainly many of them play parts that are congenial to them and perhaps they would not be able to do as well in other roles but this does not detract from the wonderful acting of this work.
As you go along you can't help but continue with the next episode and now I'm waiting for the new season to come out.
Even in Italy we know how to do beautiful things, even with not all professional actors and even when the budget is not millionaires.
Well done, really good everyone.
Literally kids with guns
marcoediana5 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I hated the series for the following reasons:
I really really hate the characters because they are too unsympathetic ,for me was boring ,the plot was terrible I couldn't get out of disgusted, the trama doesn't have a real sense it was very repetitive it's always a coming and going between meaningless love stories. I only saw it because of the millions of edits and videos on Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube and all the memes but if it hadn't been for that I really shouldn't have seen it. But the thing that I hated the most was the character of Rosaricci who every time she appeared on screen I rolled my eyes.
Absurd plot, couldn't watch more than 4 episodes
klaraxhokaxhiu17 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Frankly, it seems to me a very absurd and unrealistic plot. One of the 2 teenagers makes the worst mistake of his life by accidentally killing one of his best friends under the effects of MDMA and this makes him gulty to the eyes of the director of the prison, who apparently wants to teach him a lesson by letting him be bullied by all other inmates, who bully him also under the eyes of other policemen! And even his own mother does not believe that it was all an accident! Jeez, too absurd to even be able to watch the rest of the episodes.
I must recognise that actors are very good though, the problem is that the screenplay is very bad!
I must recognise that actors are very good though, the problem is that the screenplay is very bad!
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