Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Yudt, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 15+
Intense crime drama about family and faith has heavy themes.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Rough Diamonds focuses on a family of Haredi Orthodox Jewish diamond dealers in Antwerp, Belgium. The series begins with one family member dying by suicide; the scene is disturbing but not graphic. Illegal activity drives the plot, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent confrontations between enemies. There's a lot of profanity and some antisemitic hate speech by characters who are portrayed negatively. There's one sex scene with no nudity. Characters and themes are morally complex, exploring loyalty, betrayal, and corruption. The show is mostly in Flemish, with English subtitles available.
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
A character kills himself in the opening scenes. There's a lot of fighting with and without weapons, some of it bloody. Villains burn down an innocent man's business.
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Language
a lot
"F--k," "motherf----r," "a--hole," and "d--khead" are used. There are some instances of antisemitic hate speech from characters who are villains: "f--king greedy Jews," "filthy Jews," "yarmulke boy."
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
Two adult characters have sex in one scene; no nudity is shown. Passionate kissing in other scenes.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Adults drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes. A subplot involves cocaine trafficking, and background characters are shown preparing drugs to smuggle.
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Diverse Representations
a little
The show presents a complex and nuanced look at an Orthodox Jewish community that's not often represented in the media. The main female character is smart, strong, and loyal.
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Positive Role Models
very little
Most of the characters are a complex mix of positive and negative qualities. Noah demonstrates loyalty by going to great lengths to protect his family and is a loving father to his son, but he resorts to violence and other illegal activities to achieve his goals.
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Positive Messages
very little
The show explores the importance of loyalty to one's family and community, but much of the drama hinges on deceit and betrayal.
Where to Watch
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Rough Diamonds
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What's the Story?
In ROUGH DIAMONDS, Noah Wolfson (Kevin Janssens) returns home to Antwerp following the suicide of his younger brother, Yanki. Noah left his family -- a respected dynasty of diamond dealers -- and their Haredi Orthodox community to live a secular life in London, raising a young son. But when he discovers that Yanki was deeply in debt to bookies, he decides to stay in Antwerp and protect his family from forces that threaten their reputation, their financial future -- and their lives.
Is It Any Good?
The series shines both as an action-filled crime thriller and a compelling, nuanced portrait of a family and community in crisis. The longer Adam stays in Antwerp, the more layers of corruption and betrayal emerge. But he's also reminded of the power of faith, ritual, and connection -- a way of life that appeals to his young son, Tommy, who navigates the tight-knit community with curiosity and openness. The performances in Rough Diamonds are outstanding all around, and the characters are complex, torn between loyalty and self-preservation in an industry they once dominated.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about religion and belief systems. How does Rough Diamonds portray the Haredi Orthodox community in Antwerp? What is Adam's relationship to his former religion and culture?
What are the family dynamics in Rough Diamonds? What motivates each of the characters? What do they want from each other, and how do they go about getting it?
Talk about the women characters in this show. What are their roles in the family and community?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 21, 2023
- Cast : Kevin Janssens, Ini Massez, Robby Cleiren
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating : TV-MA
- Last updated : May 8, 2023
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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
Rough Diamonds
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