Common Sense Media Review
By Weiting Liu
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty setup undone by flat drama and undercooked thrills.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Franklin
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
FRANKLIN follows Adam (Mohamad Al-Ahmad), a once-legendary counterfeiter who re-enters the criminal underworld to save his terminally ill daughter. Desperate for money, he partners with Yulia (Daniella Rahme), a brilliant jewel thief and former lover, to recreate his infamous fake $100 bill. As they navigate a tangled web of betrayals, family secrets, and dangerous alliances, their mission becomes a high-stakes gamble for survival. In a world where loyalty is fragile and time is running out, Adam and Yulia ask how far they would go to save the innocent person they love.
Is It Any Good?
This crime thriller seems to have all the right ingredients at first glance: an underground counterfeiting scheme, family stakes, car chases through Lebanon. But none of it ever really ignites in Franklin. The production value is passable, with location shooting that gives Beirut a lived-in feel and some moments of gritty cinematography. But the action sequences never deliver the kind of punch or spectacle this genre demands.
The score, oddly out of sync, undercuts tension rather than building it. Adam's love for his daughter should remain the show's emotional backbone, but it fails to carry the show, especially with Al-Ahmad's flat lead performance. In the end, Franklin aims for high-stakes drama but lands somewhere closer to lukewarm sentiment with no edge.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Franklin's central moral dilemma. Can criminal acts like counterfeiting be justified if it's done to save a life? How does the show challenge or reinforce ideas about ends justifying means? What would you do in Adam's shoes?
How do family dynamics shape personal identity? What role do sibling rivalries, parental responsibilities, and romantic history play in how characters make decisions? How can you build healthy relationships in your life?
Does Franklin successfully critique social systems that fail people in crisis? Where's the line between social commentary of systematic failures and glamorization of illegal behavior?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 15, 2025
- Cast : Mohamad Al Ahmad , Daniella Rahme
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 29, 2025
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