Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent French body-swap murder mystery has swearing, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The 7 Lives of Lea
What's the Story?
THE 7 LIVES OF LEA begins with the title character (Raïka Hazanavicius) finding the remains of a teenage boy, Ismael (Khalil Ben Gharbia). The event takes her back to 1991 and sees her wake up every morning in the body of a different person. Along the way, she uncovers old secrets and new understandings about her family's past.
Is It Any Good?
At first glance, this '90s-set body-swap dramedy seems to be nothing new, yet the unfolding story reveals a surprisingly nuanced, diverse cast of teens dealing with timelessly relatable issues. The 7 Lives of Lea, a French production, has themes that are universal. Ambitiously aiming to cover everything from substance abuse and suicidal ideation to the immigrant experience, the series does extend itself a bit too far. Pulling it back from the realm of total melodrama, though, are moments of real levity intermixed with a spot-on '90s aesthetic and soundtrack. Also working in the show's favor is seeing the murder mystery told through multiple perspectives. Though sometimes a little too removed from reality (do none of these teenagers have parents in the picture?) the series manages to talk about mental health, sexuality, burgeoning adulthood, and more in a tone that doesn't talk down to its teenage audience. Parents will want to note, however, that this is sometimes at the expense of logical consequences. With a satisfyingly tight season of only seven episodes, and a somewhat clunky ending, this series will keep viewers' attention and give them a lot to discuss once the dust settles.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ismael's experiences with racism and bullying. In what ways does he feel trapped by his situation? How do his bullies use both words and violence to hurt him? What would you do if you were being bullied, or saw someone else being bullied?
Does the unique format of this show make it more engaging? Did you like how Lea jumped into a new body each episode? What about the time travel aspect?
How does this French series portray teenagers differently than an American series might? Specifically, how is teenage drinking and drug use addressed?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 28, 2022
- Cast : Raïka Hazanavicius , Khalil Ben Gharbia
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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