Baby

Baby is an Italian teen drama streaming television series that debuted on Netflix on November 30, 2018. The show is a part of the growing Netflix category of international programming. Following an overwhelming response from audiences worldwide, the show had a successful three-season run from 2018 to 2020.

The series gets its edgy, profound, and even controversial reputation from its inspiration, the real-life scandal, known as the "Baby Squillo" case, that shocked Italy. However, Baby is not a direct representation of the actual events or characters involved in the scandal. Rather, it utilizes this inspiration to weave a unique and complicated narrative about teenage passion, desperation, identity, and the complexities of the journey toward adulthood in a modern world.

Set in the affluent part of Rome, the series primarily focuses on the lives of two highschoolers, Chiara Altieri and Ludovica Storti, who are seemingly part of Rome’s elite. Beneath the surface, however, they experience dissatisfaction and a sense of alienation from their privileged way of life. Their yearning for independence and their naïve curiosity unwittingly lead them into a dark underbelly of the city, where they start living secret double lives and get tangled in the complicated world of sex work.

Chiara is a high-achieving and compliant student who comes from a well-to-do family, yet she struggles with the ennui and hypocrisy of her plastic world. On the other hand, Ludovica, despite her rebellious nature, can hardly cope with her dysfunctional family and the abuse she faces. Their unlikely friendship and mutual feelings of disillusionment becomes a catalyst for their descent into the forbidden world.

The series does well to use the scandalous backdrop as a means to delve deeper into the psychological complexities of its characters. As the show progresses, the reality of Chiara's and Ludovica's choices begin to impact them, the themes of desperation, identity crisis, friendship, and moral compromise are explored in greater detail.

The supporting characters each play crucial roles in building the narrative, further adding layers to the complexities of the story, and contributing to the overall exploration of the socio-political culture of Italy and its ethical paradoxes. These characters include Fabio Fedeli, Chiara's closest friend who is navigating his sexual identity; Damiano Younes, the high-profile loner Chiara is attracted to, with his own tragic past; and Fiore, an ambiguous figure who introduces Chiara and Ludo to their double lives. Through these characters, the series emphasizes personal struggles with family dynamics, self-discovery, and social class disparities.

The creators and writers present an honest portrayal of youth, delving into emotional crossings and the duality of adolescence. They vividly depict an array of sentiments, including teenage angst, yearning for worldly explorations and rebellious assertions of personal independence.

The show’s approach to cinematography provides a visually appealing exploration of Rome’s dual identities – the opulent liberties of the upper strata juxtaposed against the grit and bleakness of city’s hidden side.

Baby is undeniably provocative and audacious in its narrative style and character portrayals. Yet its creative strength lies in its unapologetically raw and realistic portrayal of teenage life, their complicities, and the resulting consequences. Through the character’s experiences, the show underscores the necessity of understanding and positively engaging with youth dilemmas and their exploratory inclinations.

In conclusion, throughout its three-season run, Baby demonstrated an explicit demonstration of a darker side of adolescence, managing to create a vivid and empathetic view of a thrilling and yet tragic journey. Critics have praised the show for its relatable storylines and its adept handling of sensitive subjects. The audience, too, is left intrigued and, at times, even uncomfortable, as the reality of many backstories unfolds throughout the series, making Baby a gripping and thought-provoking watch.