Crime never pays, even if it seems like it does sometimes.
Positive Role Models
none
Ripley is a criminal with little regard for others.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Ripley is a limited series based on the mystery novels by Patricia Highsmith. It's about a con artist, Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott, Fleabag), who ensconces himself in Italy with a young couple, one of whom is the extraordinarily rich and charming Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn). Violence includes a murder; a dead body is seen being dragged down stairs. One character is sexually obsessed with another.
I loved Talented Mr Ripley 1999. I did not read the book. I saw the tv show on Netflix where it was directed in black and white because the books cover is black and white.
It was interesting to see it in that setting as it makes it intense.
I do wish they had done the setting in the same way as the film where you can see Italy better. It was dark at times so you couldn’t see the beaches or Italy like the film.
However, the actors were good and did the characters well. Even though Freddie was different than Philip from the film, the actor did well. I read the director liked him as he was unique and different. That tells how much they care about who they work with and the actors individual character.
I think it pulls you into the mystery and how it will take place. If you haven’t read the book or seen the film I won’t give anything away. But it does keep you interested and curious.
The show has a cat in it at an apartment setting who sits on the bench. It is an intelligent use of a character to add to Ripley’s mystery.
Well done.
Amazing black and white series with great cinematography. Anyone who loves a good puzzle mystery will love this show. No extreme violence and no sex! Finally a show with no sex or violence. Great for a 13 year old!
What's the Story?
Tom RIPLEY is a small-time con man living in a dilapidated apartment in New York City. When detectives and bill collectors come knocking, Ripley finally takes a chance on a mysterious request to meet a Mr. Herbert Greenleaf. This opportunity leads him to Italy, where he must ingratiate himself with the charming, young Dickie Greenleaf and his girlfriend, Marge. The couple live in the lap of luxury, and Tom is enchanted. But will his deceit catch up with him once again? And what will happen when it does?
This dark tale is brought to light by a fresh portrayal and nearly too-good-for-TV cinematography. Ripley will of course draw comparisons to Anthony Minghella's 1999 interpretation. This Ripley is no fresh-faced Matt Damon, but a more sinister, seasoned criminal—a true cypher. We get to see more of his empty life and petty crimes before his "adventures" in Italy begin. This Ripley is more fallible; hesitant, but his machinations still work on the naive. He's a masterful manipulator played wonderfully by Scott.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about remakes. Why do you think this story has been revisited so many times?
Dickie has a lot of privilege, while Tom has none. Talk about jealousy and what it leads to in this series.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Polly Conway
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
