Netflix’s new series Bad Boy, which premieres on May 2, 2024, is already creating a buzz. Following the success of Adolescence earlier this year, the streaming platform adds yet another powerful story to its collection—this time, focusing on the harsh realities of the juvenile detention system. With a plot that goes beyond fiction, Bad Boy blends drama and initiation, with a compelling narrative rooted in a true story.
A Powerful Story Rooted in Reality
A Story That Crosses Boundaries
Bad Boy follows the journey of Dean Scheinman, a 13-year-old boy sent to a juvenile detention center. Here, he meets Zoro, an Ethiopian-Israeli inmate sentenced for homicide. Amid the violence, hierarchy, and the fight for survival, a complicated relationship develops between the two. Fast forward 20 years, and Dean has become a rising star in Israeli stand-up comedy. But the scars of his past resurface, and the show shifts between Dean’s past in prison and his present as a public figure.
The series explores the deep emotional impact of incarceration, using a fragmented narrative to delve into how Dean’s past has shaped him. The adult Dean is portrayed by Israeli actor and comedian Daniel Chen, whose real-life experience in juvenile detention served as the inspiration for the show.
A Fiction Born from Personal Experience
Daniel Chen: From Prison to Stand-Up
The roots of Bad Boy lie in Daniel Chen’s personal experiences. As a teenager, Chen spent several years in juvenile detention, where he often thought about the lack of stories that truly reflected the life of young detainees. “When I was in prison, we watched series like Oz or Zinzana. I used to tell my cellmate, ‘You know what we need? A series about us,’” Chen revealed in an interview with N12.
This idea stayed with him until he met Ron Leshem, a writer and former reporter who shared Chen’s passion for telling the stories of incarcerated youth. Leshem had his own background investigating the often overlooked and abandoned lives of young detainees, which added depth to the show’s authenticity.
A Raw and Honest Portrayal of Juvenile Incarceration
Blending Personal Memory with Investigation
What sets Bad Boy apart is the seamless blend of personal memory and investigative insight. Chen doesn’t just play the adult version of Dean—he brings to life a story shaped by his own lived experience. Leshem, in turn, adopts a raw, unflinching approach to portraying violence. As he mentions in Deadline, “The reality in juvenile detention centers is even harsher than what is shown on the series.”
The show’s gritty realism is further enhanced by its casting, which includes many non-professional actors. Guy Manster portrays the young Dean, while Havtamo Farda plays the mysterious Zoro. Chen himself reprises his role as the adult Dean, now navigating the world of stand-up comedy as well as the haunting memories of his past. The series is directed by Hagar Ben-Asher, who keeps the tone understated, letting silences, looks, and invisible wounds tell much of the story.
A Look Behind the Camera
The Director’s Vision and Approach
Ben-Asher’s direction brings a sense of authenticity and restraint to the show. The way she lets moments of silence linger, allowing viewers to feel the weight of the emotions, creates an immersive experience. The show doesn’t shy away from showing the brutality of the prison system, but it also finds space for introspection and vulnerability, elements often overlooked in portrayals of incarceration.
While Bad Boy may focus on the harsh realities of life in a juvenile detention center, it also highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the power of transformation. It’s a story of survival, growth, and ultimately, redemption.
Bad Boy offers a gripping and heartfelt narrative that resonates with audiences far beyond the confines of its setting. By blending the personal with the universal, the show takes viewers on an emotional journey that’s both challenging and deeply human.
