Watch Baby

Baby is a Netflix original series set in Rome, Italy that centers around a group of high school students as they navigate their adolescence while dealing with personal struggles and issues. The show, which premiered in 2018, stars Benedetta Porcaroli, Alice Pagani, and Riccardo Mandolini in the lead roles.

The series takes inspiration from the real-life scandal that occurred in 2013 in Rome, where a group of high school girls were found engaging in prostitution with a wealthy man. Baby explores the dark underbelly of teenage life, following a group of privileged young adults as they rebel against their controlling and threatening parents by living double lives in the world of sexuality, drugs, and prostitution.

The story revolves around the main protagonist of the series, Chiara (played by Porcaroli), who is a wealthy girl from a good family. However, she has a grim secret that she is keeping from everyone: she leads a double life as a high-class escort. Chiara sees this lifestyle as a way of punishing her parents for being unable to keep their marriage together.

Her best friend, Ludo (Pagani), who is an outspoken and fiesty character, soon finds out about Chiara's secret life and decides to follow her into this world of prostitution. Ludo comes from an entirely different background than Chiara, with her family barely making ends meet, and no knowledge of the life that her friend is living. However, Ludo sees it as an opportunity to escape her troubled family life and the constant pressure of maintaining her grades.

Alongside Chiara and Ludo are their male interests – Damiano (Mandolini) and Fiore (played by Brando Pacitto) -- who get involved with the girls and their lifestyle because of their love interests. Damiano is an artist who falls head over heels for Chiara, and he himself is no stranger to secrets and a complicated family situation. Fiore, on the other hand, has no relation to the prostitution world but he gets suckered into the girls' dangerous games and puts himself in a vulnerable position.

The show tackles themes of identity, autonomy, family dynamics, and most importantly, the complexity of teenage lives. It showcases both the highs and lows of adolescence and how these experiences shape an individual's character. The series portrays the power dynamic between the girls and their clients as that of a trade-off between sex and money, while at the same time highlighting the human side of these morally questionable individuals.

The characters in Baby are complex, with each one of them dealing with their demons and personal issues in their way. The show is not merely a tale of sex and prostitution but also explores the cunning nature of human beings and how they deal with their personal problems. It challenges the notion that sex work is empowering as opposed to the dark and manipulative nature of the industry.

The cinematography and direction of Baby are commendable, with the stunning Italian landscapes and art showcasing the diversity of the country's culture. The soundtrack of the series is also noteworthy, with a mix of modern and vintage Italian and European music. The show's creators manage to capture the teenage spirit accurately, from the fashionable outfits that the characters wear to their dodgy behavior in nightclubs.

The writers portray the complicated dynamics of high school life accurately, with illicit relationships, academic stress, and personal identity struggles. Baby is one of the few series that is honest about the complexities of the teenage years, portraying them as a time of confusion and insecurity while also hinting at the possibilities of change and growth in individuals.

In conclusion, Baby is a show that is worth watching for its gripping storyline, powerful performances, stunning cinematography, and impactful message about the hidden world of teenage morality. It is a coming-of-age drama that skillfully intertwines themes of sex, drugs, and prostitution with a touching tale of the struggles of adolescence. Baby is a must-watch for anyone seeking to delve into the complex world of modern youth culture.

Baby is a series that ran for 3 seasons (18 episodes) between February 20, 2012 and on Netflix