Bad Boy

I absolutely loved it. The series is moving and deeply touching, portraying the complexities of the main character and making you fall in love with the kind heart of a criminal who is, at the end of the day, just a kid. Brilliantly written, beautifully shot, and masterfully directed. The entire cast delivers phenomenal performances. I devoured the whole series in just two days.

"Bad Boy" is an Israeli drama series that had potential but ultimately misses the mark in almost every way. Despite its gritty premise and autobiographical inspiration, the story falls apart under the weight of poor writing, implausible scenarios, and a tone that can't decide if it wants to be raw and emotional or edgy and juvenile. What should have been a powerful character study ends up feeling more like a loosely stitched sequence of clichés and overacted melodrama.

The lead performance-though based on the real-life experiences of Daniel Chen-fails to deliver authenticity or emotional depth. The characters surrounding him are underdeveloped, making their interactions feel forced and unnatural. The pacing drags, and the series seems unsure how to sustain tension or build meaningful stakes. What's worse, the dialogue is often weighed down by awkward attempts at humor that completely undercut any dramatic momentum.

From laughably unbelievable situations in the juvenile detention center to hollow emotional arcs, "Bad Boy" never manages to find its footing. The series relies too heavily on shock value and shallow storytelling rather than trusting in its characters or theme. It's not just boring-it's frustrating, especially considering the subject matter had so much potential.

Overall, "Bad Boy" is a forgettable and frustrating experience that squanders a compelling premise with weak execution. A waste of time unless you're watching purely out of curiosity.

Bad Boy is a raw, riveting masterpiece that doesn't just tell a story-it grabs you by the soul and refuses to let go. This Israeli series dives deep into the harsh, often invisible world of youth at risk, portraying their struggles with unflinching realism and a beating heart of hope.

From the first episode, the writing stands out-sharp, witty, emotionally intelligent. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, never feeling forced or contrived. These aren't just characters; they're people. They bleed, they break, they laugh with surprising tenderness, and they fight like hell to survive. It's hard to watch at times-brutal, even-but that's the point. It doesn't sugarcoat trauma, and in doing so, it earns its moments of warmth and redemption.

What elevates Bad Boy beyond just another drama about troubled youth is its compassion. It doesn't pity its characters; it respects them. It allows them to be complex, funny, infuriating, brilliant. The cast brings incredible nuance, particularly the young lead, who delivers a performance so alive and layered it feels more like a documentary than fiction.

Yes, it's painful. Yes, it's heavy. But ultimately, Bad Boy is a love letter to resilience. A powerful, unsentimental reminder that even in the bleakest circumstances, light can break through. Gritty and gorgeous, dark and deeply moving, this series is a triumph.

Bad Boy stands out as a bold and deeply personal piece of storytelling. By blending stand-up comedy with autobiographical drama, it creates a unique narrative that feels both intimate and truly innovative. At its heart is the story of a young boy navigating a harsh and uncertain reality. His mistakes, his real need for love, validation, and guidance are portrayed with remarkable honesty and a sense of childlike innocence especially in his lowest moments. He isn't painted as a hero or a villain, just a child: lost, yearning for stability. His natural charm and likability are never ignored, yet we are constantly reminded that, at the end of the day, he was a little crook. His mother, too, is portrayed with nuance. She is far from perfect (who is?), but never malicious. She is what Winnicott would call a "Good Enough Mother", coping with impossible circumstances and doing what she can within the limits of her own pain and reality. As an adult and stand-up comedian, he remains provocative, boundary-pushing, and sharp, but no longer defined by crime. Through both the stand-up scenes and the dramatic dialogue, he shares emotional, personal anecdotes about the main figures in his youth-bringing humor, heartache, and insight in equal measure.

Based on Daniel Chen's real life experiences, Bad Boy manages to be painful, bluntly funny and deeply moving. It's filled with vulnerability, self-awareness, and for me, as a mother a constant urge to jump into the screen and wrap this lost boy in a long, fierce hug.

Israeli production on Netflix has delivered another outstanding work. Following the fantastic Fauda, Bad Boy proves to be a worthy successor.

Bad Boy isn't just another drama series - it's a deeply affecting portrait of adolescence on the edge of society, one that lingers in the mind long after watching. Creators Ron Leshem and Hagar Ben-Asher have crafted a powerful and unflinching story, rooted in real experiences, unafraid to expose the harsh realities of the juvenile correctional system.

Raw, at times melodramatic, and occasionally even humorous - it's a compelling mix, carried by believable and heartfelt performances. Tense, emotional, and visually beautiful, the series captivates on multiple levels.

I always appreciate when child roles are played by actual children - a practice that, unfortunately, is becoming increasingly rare.