I’m Not Afraid Review: Childhood Innocence Meets the Horrors Adults Create

I’m Not Afraid Review: Adapted from Niccolò Ammaniti’s 2003 novel, this Netflix mystery-thriller (No Tengo Miedo) series is a heartfelt watch that showcases the innocence of childhood through Miguel’s eyes and how, after a shocking incident, it’s taken away from him in one flash. The series, starring Luis Alberti, Fátima Molina, Humberto Busto, Nora Huerta, Yoshira Escárrega, Cosmo González Muñoz, Aldo Emiliano Navarro, Yago Andreu, Regina Arroyo, and Mauro Guzmán, gradually goes from an innocent story of poverty and the beauty of childhood innocence to something much more terrifying, leaving viewers increasingly disturbed as the episodes move forward.

The film explores many different themes, including poverty, fear, family and loyalty, against the backdrop of the 1989 FIFA World Cup.

I’m Not Afraid Review

A Story Told Through a Child’s Eyes

Taking place over the course of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, this hopeful and charming mystery-thriller follows Miguel, who, during a quiet playtime with his friends, stumbles upon a young boy chained to the floor in a hole in the ground. The series eventually explores who brought him there and the desperate measures that adults will go to to find a solution as Miguel’s childhood innocence and trust get shattered piece by piece.

The series’s biggest strength is its perspective as it tells the story through Miguel’s eyes. The wonder and merriment that he feels as he navigates complex adult choices is nothing short of hopeful and amusing and leaves viewers rooting for him throughout. Pure in his intentions, it’s extremely easy to fall into Miguel’s life as he plays with his friends and cheers for his team in the World Cup. Thus, when he finds Felipe in the hole, things slowly start to turn upside down, but he never loses that childlike wonder.

While Miguel understands the danger that Felipe is in, he doesn’t truly understand the complexity of the situation, which becomes the main driving force behind all of his decisions. It’s an interesting watch in that regard, as the storytelling tells a simple but painful tale that surprisingly stays with you long after the credits roll. There are constant shocking twists that keep this drama grounded, but rather, Miguel’s experiences and his emotions as he learns more about the people around him.

The story, told non-linearly, pieces together different decisions and consequences that the adults face that Miguel never picks up on. These situations that take place behind Miguel’s back are extremely serious and highlight how children sometimes cannot connect with the dangers that are happening right in front of them. There’s a sense of unease whenever the adults come into the picture, signalling that something is just not right. The series proves to us over and over again that real monsters hide behind familiar faces.

The series plays with its beautiful landscapes and dusty, abandoned rural settings to its advantage, turning children’s playgrounds into places they should be wary of. There’s a beauty in every abandoned location that gradually gets eroded the more we dig into what is happening behind closed doors.

Excellent Performances Keep the Drama Grounded

The young cast carries the series on their backs. Their interactions are carefree and believable as they gradually learn to trust one another the more the situation turns dire. Aldo Emiliano Navarro, as Miguel, is especially vulnerable, which never feels exaggerated or ingenuine. Viewers will be able to experience the genuine confusion, fear and hope through all of their performances as they learn more about the people they trust the most and help Felipe to go back home.

The supporting cast, fighting against an unjust system and finding no way out, are equally great, and it’s easy to understand their perspective even during the worst of times. They aren’t cartoonish villains, just desperate people making one mistake after another. It’s easy to hate them, but their actions have meaning behind them.

Atmosphere Over Action

This isn’t a fast-paced crime thriller but, rather, a gentle exploration of relationships and moral conflicts through a heinous crime committed. The series doesn’t get into meaningless cheap shocks but explores Miguel’s heartbreak when the truth finally comes in front of him. The slow-burn storytelling holds the tension well, as things get from bad to worse. The natural progression of the story is also well-done and leaves viewers heartbroken by the end. While some episodes might drag on a bit, the series overall maintains good pacing and keeps viewers engaged with the emotions rather than the spectacle.

Final Verdict

I’m Not Afraid is a moving watch about childhood innocence getting lost amid adult mistakes. It’s an engaging watch that does a great job telling its story through Miguel, who finds himself a friend to save one fine day. The story is a moving showcase of friendship and camaraderie and how greed makes people make terrible mistakes. Overall, this one’s an arresting watch.

I’m Not Afraid is streaming right now on Netflix. What did you like the most about the series? Let us know in the comments below!

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