Netflix's 'Minerva Academy' Offers a Familiar Blend of Teen Drama and Military School Tropes
The new Italian series follows students at an elite military academy, but struggles to distinguish its characters and storylines.
Netflix's new Italian series, Minerva Academy, places a group of teenagers within the rigorous environment of an elite military high school. While the season incorporates typical teen drama elements, a central plotline involves a new cadet's search for his friend, who disappeared months prior to his enrollment.
The series opens with a diverse group of teens undergoing the entrance exam for the Minerva Military Academy. Those who pass face a demanding three-day tryout. Successful candidates are then ceremoniously presented with "the Smallsword" by a current cadet, who acts as their mentor. The motivations for attending the academy vary among the students. Salvo (Ciro Minopoli), who has a background in foster care, seeks to uncover the reasons behind the disappearance of his friend Francesco, a former cadet. Vincenzo (Biagio Venditti) aims to follow in the footsteps of his decorated military officer father, while Camilla (Margherita Buoncristiani) was sent to the academy by her father after an incident in her hometown.
The initial three days are characterized by intense discipline, including early morning drills and arduous cleaning duties. Students can be expelled for accumulating three red marks on their uniforms. During this period, Camilla, Salvo, and Vincenzo experience mild hazing from senior cadets. Camilla faces repeated punishment for not knowing the national anthem. Despite these challenges, most newcomers persevere and receive their Smallswords.
One notable challenge for viewers is the difficulty in distinguishing between the male students, as their close-cropped haircuts make them appear similar. This makes it hard to identify which characters will be central to the narrative and which might not last beyond the initial tryout phase. The female characters are slightly more distinguishable, though many receive limited screen time, hindering viewer connection.
Beyond the student body, faculty members also play significant roles. These include civilian professor Laura Canali (Cristiana Capotondi), who is positioned as the "adult in the room" and a potential mentor outside the academy's strict protocols, and Deputy Commander Colonel Bonaiuto (Irene Maiorino).
The series blends standard high school drama tropes with the backdrop of military uniforms and traditions. The review notes that the initial episode is somewhat muddled and fails to establish enough compelling storylines to maintain viewer interest. Hints of romance emerge, with two third-year cadets being caught in a private moment. The season's initial arc concludes with Salvo discovering evidence suggesting a relationship between his missing friend Francesco and Diego, an older cadet now serving as Salvo's mentor.
Overall, Minerva Academy is described as a series that, while not a complete waste of time, is ultimately deemed a "SKIP IT" due to its confusing start and underdeveloped character arcs. The review suggests that the series could benefit from more focused storytelling to allow viewers to connect with the characters and their developing narratives.