Minerva Academy Review: It’s as if going to school wasn’t hard enough; Netflix brings a bunch of rebellious teens together in a military school where everything happens as if we are still stuck somewhere in the past. Strict, authoritarian, and unnecessarily cruel, Minerva Academy is where kids go to if they require some control and a change of direction in their lives.
The series, with 8 episodes, juggles several topics including family expectations, friendships, rivalries and secrets, with a mystery plot in the midst of it. The result is a coming-of-age mystery that struggles to find balance in the chaos, that sometimes borders on comical.
Directed by Ivan Silvestrini, the series (Minerva: La scuola) stars Ciro Minopoli, Biagio Venditti, Margherita Buoncristiani, Beatrice Savignani, Simone Secce, Giulio Brizzi, Nicole Malaj, Alicia Ann Edogamhe, Massimiliano Gallo, and Cristiana Capotondi.
Minerva Academy Review
A Military School Makes for an Interesting Setting
The rules in Minerva Military School are straight out of some draconian 18th century setting where anything and everything is met with punishment. The teachers somehow allow the seniors to do what they want with the juniors, including extreme bullying behaviour and odd erotic situations. It’s a bit confusing to see who these rules are meant for, since the seniors seem to be having a great time doing what they want. The rules also don’t seem to be doing much for the overall betterment of the kids, as they push boundaries in secret, which seems to be counterintuitive to what the teachers want.
The setting could’ve been interesting if it made sense for the modern setting and something that actually worked. The school seems strict for the sake of being so and doesn’t take into account the fact that different people require different settings to thrive and find themselves. The draconian thought process makes the school look a bit silly, as you’d expect there to be better ways to handle the kids than just unnecessary punishment for punishment’s sake.
Either way, it helps to heighten the tension as we see kids competing with one another and going through the highs and lows of teenage years while also facing strict regimes. Plus, it also makes the mystery at the heart of the story a bit more challenging.
Teen Drama Meets Military Discipline
The stars of the series are the characters that fuel the drama in every episode. From start to finish, we see these young teens overcoming several obstacles that remind you of a younger time. From romantic relationships to bunking class and sneaking out at night, there are several hallmark indicators of a classic YA drama that keeps Minerva Academy busy. The eight episodes showcase budding friendships and relationships and how not even your best friends sometimes hide shocking secrets.
As the students test the limits of their bad behaviours, the contrasting motivations of the younger recruits and their emotional journeys keep the series moving. Salvo, Vincenzo and Camilla have their own reasons to be in the school and stay there, and while Salvo is trying to unearth the mystery of a missing friend, the other two are simply facing the challenges of being rebellious in a strict environment. Overall, the series is enjoyable thanks to them if viewers enjoy YA shows that don’t offer much more.
While the emotional turmoil of a bunch of angsty teens is fine, it’s the mystery subplot that somehow feels inadequate. It’s a part of the overarching story and what the series starts off with. But even then, there are moments when we simply don’t care about what happened to Francesco. Overall, the runtime gives time for the series to explore it all, but the hallmarks of a YA show are evident all the same.
Does Minerva Academy Get the Balance Right?
In the end, it’s all about striking the correct balance. Minerva Academy does a pretty good job of not overdoing the drama to the point that it sounds corny and keeps things moving at a brisk pace. While not every episode is stellar, it still does a good job of balancing its various elements such that, by the time you reach the eighth episode, viewers will find themselves mildly hooked to figuring out what happens to the school. It also does a good job of creating an impactful backstory for most of the characters such that we are invested in what decisions they take towards the end of the runtime. While not perfect, the series is enjoyable.
Final Verdict
In the end, Minerva Academy is a thrilling rollercoaster that sometimes goes on insane twists and turns to keep the viewers hooked. While the commitment to the drama is commendable, it has moments that are truly silly. Overall, it’s a great one-time watch that knows how to keep the series interesting without going overboard.
Minerva Academy is streaming on Netflix right now. What are your thoughts on the series? Let us know in the comments below!
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