Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unique, intimate 'toon highlights sensitive middle-schooler.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Samuel
What's the Story?
SAMUEL is an animated series created, written, and directed by Émilie Tronche that centers on a sensitive 10-year-old entering middle school. Animated in a stark black-and-white 2D style, Samuel narrates the story through his diary entries—beginning on the day he's gifted the diary for his 10th birthday and ending on his 11th, when the diary is full. He shares his thoughts and feelings about friendships, crushes, and family, which are by turns funny, sweet, wistful, and sad.
Is It Any Good?
The deceptively simple animation style perfectly suits the intimate storytelling, making it easy for viewers to connect with the characters' emotions. Samuel's nostalgic musical cues add a lot, too, with playful, mesmerizing mini-dance breaks that show off Tronche's artistic skills. The pace and tone are plaintive but frequently funny, showing a side of young boys we don't often see in the media: sensitive, emotional, and imperfect. The series moves quickly and is only 84 minutes long from start to finish, making for an endearingly offbeat family binge-watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the unusual animation style used in Samuel. How does it differ from most animated shows and films produced in the United States? Does it suit the storytelling? Would the story have the same impact if the visuals were fancier?
Many viewers first encountered Samuel thanks to viral clips circulating on TikTok and Instagram. How has social media changed the entertainment industry? What determines a show's success now that there are different venues for them?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 5, 2026
- Cast : Eleanor Noble
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : February 9, 2026
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