Public Disorder Review: Real, Intriguing, Chaotic

Netflix brings a new Italian drama series following a riot squad where members soon fall into an internal conflict when problems in their personal and professional lives clash. This Public Disorder Review (A.C.A.B. La serie) looks into the drama series that is intriguing, real, and entertaining for those who are able to stick to the end. Focusing not just on the riot squad members, it also shows the conflict arising between the public and riot squads who are just trying to maintain order.

-No Spoilers-

Public Disorder Review

The plot of the show follows the internal conflict existing within a riot squad after a particular night where a serious clash with the people of Val di Susa leaves the squad’s leader seriously injured. But he isn’t the only one injured, a young boy taking part in these riots is also injured and goes into a coma, which creates a widespread hatred for the officials of this department. While the tension within the team is strong, their leader is replaced while they each face problems in their personal lives leaving them vulnerable and angered.

The show starts off on a strong note, while there is some confusion regarding their stories, things begin to soon clear up as the plot proceeds. However, this cannot be said for all as the first episode is also somewhat of a double-edged sword, you’ll either like it or find it boring. But it is worth looking into so keep going.

As the drama soon begins to unfold, you find yourself captivated by the stories of the characters and their problems. You see a new side to these heroic figures who are risking their lives each day, as they unfold when back home. They become parents who are working hard each day, or a person just trying to fight off their loneliness. The story proceeds in a smooth manner in these aspects, but the lingering tension from the night at Val di Susa is clearly visible in their expressions.

This takes us to the performance of the actors, which I have to say is quite well done. The ever-changing expressions that match the emotions of the scenes are perfectly captured. This really makes you keep watching the show because their expressions bring out their true emotions, which is truly captivating. Especially when the investigation for the night at Val di Susa is being held, you can see what the investigators are trying to find because you know the truth.

Then there is the way every case handled by the squad is brought out. It really makes you see a different side of the coin, the side that shows how they too are bound by their responsibilities at work. I have loved the vision we’ve been given of this side, along with the bond that the members form with their new leader.

Moving on, I have to talk about the cinematography which is what really made me stick until the end. The scenes of the riots, the different angles from which they are captured and the way they dive into the chaos. The camera work is not shaky and I have loved how smoothly everything is captured during these scenes.

However, while everything intrigued me, I have some complaints about the ending. Maybe because it somehow confused me or because of how abrupt it was, I would have liked to see some more of the way things are to go for the squad. The ending could have definitely been better.

Summing Up

Public Disorder is an intriguing and real look into the lives of the members of a riot squad. The troubles they face in their personal lives never block them from doing their duties and while their emotions may sometimes flow into their work, seeing them get back to work is interesting. It is a good show, but not for those looking for a more glamourously entertaining plot.

Watch Public Disorder on Netflix.

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