Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Riv4lries‘ or ‘Riv4li’ explores the challenges and complexities faced by middle school students in Pisa during pre-adolescence. Created by Simona Ercolani, the Italian drama series examines various themes, including the dynamics between adults and young people, students’ ambitions, and the romantic experiences of teenagers. A central element of the narrative is the division within Montalcini Middle School between “insiders” and “outsiders,” based on popularity and other social factors. The arrival of a new student, Terry, ignites a rivalry with the insiders, further deepening the divide. Ultimately, the students must learn to overcome these social barriers and find unity. The series explores ideas of friendship and youth insecurity poignantly.
Riv4lries Explores the Emotional Complexities of Teenage Students
Although driven by a fictional story, ‘Riv4rlies’ focuses on the issues faced by the youth, specifically in the context of Italy. Written by the creator, Simona Ercolani, along with Serena Cervoni, Mauro Uzzeo, Chiara Panedigrano, and others, the series offers commentary on the emotional complexities faced by teenagers. The concept of teenage love finds a representation in the film, and it reflects the reality of many vulnerable youngsters who find it difficult to handle such complex emotions. The narrative also takes a look at the issues of bullying and pranks in school, and how they affect the minds of the students. In the story, this also expands to the realm of cyberbullying or shaming, which involves students posting videos without the consent of fellow students.
As reported in 2025 by Wanted in Rome, a teenager took his own life in Italy due to the issue of bullying. Though the series looks at the major issues related to bullying, reality appears to be far more dangerous. Paolo Mendico’s family claims his suicide, by hanging in his bedroom on Thursday night, was a result of persistent bullying at schools in Latina, a province south of Rome. Prosecutors have initiated an investigation, ordering an autopsy and seizing the cell phones and computers of Paolo and several of his classmates. Following the teenager’s death, his brother, Ivan Roberto Mendico, penned an open letter, which was addressed to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, and Pope Leo XIV, urgently calling for reform in society.
The show’s exploration of this particular theme, especially in the context of modern education, brings it closer to reality. Though the show doesn’t talk about suicide, it highlights other negative effects of bullying, like the breaking of friendships, misunderstandings, and isolation of vulnerable individuals. Ultimately, the show conveys that bullying doesn’t always look obvious, but can sometimes be done even unintentionally.
The Narrative Looks at the Idea of Division in Schools
The element of division has several faces in the real world, including class, race, intelligence, and other factors. Often, students find it difficult to comprehend the idea of dividing themselves while they share the same spaces with their schoolmates. The narrative delves into the way young people can get dragged into social concepts like “us” versus “them,” while also looking at the reality of school life in modern Pisa. The social division within the school, especially the use of the tags “insiders” and “outsiders,” is a complex social theme that the narrative deals with. When Terry becomes part of the school, she imagines it to be a stepping stone for herself and other students, but she is soon dragged into the politics of the place and the issue of division.
The idea of middle-school groups is an almost universal trend. In reality, students in middle school and later in high school often find themselves, willingly or unwillingly, part of so-called “groups,” within which they are expected to maintain secrecy and loyalty. The rivalries between school groups are also a common phenomenon that can be observed in real life, often leading to negative consequences and isolation. The idea of being loyal to one’s own group hinders the progress of young minds and puts a barrier in the exchange of personal and creative ideas.
Friendships are a significant aspect of many teenagers’ lives, as highlighted by a 2025 Pew Research Center report. These relationships can also forecast long-term outcomes for teens, influencing the caliber of their adult relationships and their performance in the workplace. The need for friends is an extremely important element in the lives of teenagers, as friends also become sources of strength and support in sensitive phases. The dynamics between the main group of friends in the show, which includes Terry, Claudio, and the others, proves that genuine friendships can lead to growth, but unnecessary isolation of groups leads to negative outcomes. In conclusion, it can be said that the show portrays group dynamics and middle school friendship in a relevant and realistic way.
Read More: Where is Riv4lries Filmed? All Shooting Locations
