Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tween drama with so-so role models; language and bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
DI4RIES
What's the Story?
DI4RIES follows 12-year-olds living in a picturesque Italian seaside community as they deal with middle school drama. Pietro is stressed out -- his parents are always fighting, and he's tired of being told what to do by adults. He's trying to navigate the social scene of Galileo School, where older bully Mateo is always provoking him, and best friend Giulio is always instigating trouble of some sort. Pietro is also figuring out where he stands with the girls in his class, and ends up falling for Mateo's girlfriend Livia. Livia feels crushed under the pressure of being the "good girl" and wants to break free of expectations. Meanwhile, the school principal has announced that the school is being closed due to budget issues, and everyone is worried about losing their school and being split up from their friends. The teens at Galileo are figuring out who they are, and how they fit in.
Is It Any Good?
This show is kind of like an Italian teen-soap-drama Degrassi, but aimed at younger kids. There's a lot of missed opportunity in DI4RIES. It gets the heart of the social dynamics of middle school totally right, and tweens will love getting a peek at what it's like to be a teenager. Where the show misses, however, is in helping to present good role models for this impressionable age group. If tweens are watching DI4RIES to find out how they "should" act, parents may be disappointed with a lot of their takeaways. While the show is definitely entertaining, parents may want to look for a more well-rounded show.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the boy-girl dynamics in DI4RIES. Do you think it accurately shows how boys and girls get along in middle school? Why or why not? What nuances does it leave out?
The characters in DI4RIES are learning how to navigate first crushes and relationships. Which characters do you think have a healthy attitude toward romantic relationships? Which characters are not doing a great job in this area?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 26, 2022
- Cast : Andrea Arru , Flavia Leone , Liam Nicolosi
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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