The Educational Value of Watching "Lupin" with Kids

How a French Heist Series Can Enhance Perspective-Taking Skills

I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the second season of the suspense series "Lupin" as much if I had watched it alone. However, a viewing marathon with my young son turned it into a fun experience for me and an educational one for him. The same script element that might frustrate an adult viewer actually offers significant potential for a young viewer (when accompanied by a parent): the reversal of perspectives.

In the five episodes of the series, the creators repeatedly use one of the most beloved tricks in heist films: presenting the same plot move from a slightly different perspective to create an amazing twist. While this mechanism may lose its impact on an experienced viewer after repeated use, it remains captivating for a younger, less experienced viewer. Every time the change of perspective occurs, the young viewer gets to practice and develop their ability to understand others' mental worlds. As a bonus, it also provides a chance to cuddle with mom on the couch under a blanket and go to bed late.

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Of course, this kind of viewing should be adapted to the child's age and character due to the content. While the series does not depict shocking content compared to typical television standards, it can be very challenging for children of certain ages but abstract for others. Additionally, it requires active participation from the parent, involving multiple pauses to ensure the child understands the change of perspective and the transition between the illusion of objectivity and the revelation of subjectivity. This type of viewing is more suitable for a parent with one child, as other combinations can be frustrating for more sophisticated adult viewers.

The ability to perceive another person's inner world and understand how things look from their point of view, considering their beliefs, perceptions, feelings, and the information they have, is crucial for our psychological development. Without this ability, we remain severely limited in our capacity to cooperate, which is essential for our physical and mental survival as adults.

Without this ability, we cannot anticipate how others will react if we take their property without permission or physically harm them. We won't know if the person we live with is angry with us personally or dealing with a personal crisis at work. We will not be able to conduct fruitful negotiations. And without close guidance and intensive care, there is a chance we might end up in dangerous situations due to misunderstandings.

In professional literature, this ability is known as developing a "theory of mind," referring to the theories we formulate regarding the nature of knowledge and knowing itself. This development progresses through several stages, starting from an absolutist stage where knowledge is perceived as completely objective, maturing into a stage where knowledge is seen as subjective yet evaluable through objective tools like arguments and evidence.

Psychological tests assess the quality of theory of mind. One well-known test involves showing the subject two dolls: Doll A with a basket and Doll B with a box. The examiner shows that Doll A places a bead in her basket and leaves the room. Doll B then moves the bead to her box. When Doll A returns, the examiner asks the child where Doll A will look for the bead. Children with normal cognitive development correctly answer that Doll A will look in her basket, understanding that Doll A is unaware of the bead's relocation. Conversely, children with cognitive impairments, such as those on the autistic spectrum, may assume that Doll A knows what they know and answer that Doll A will look in Doll B's box.

A series like "Lupin," where each episode's twist relies on the viewer's ability to enjoy events from different perspectives, is particularly enjoyable for children still honing their theory of mind. Even as this ability matures, it continues to develop. Entertaining practices of perspective-taking, such as those offered by "Lupin," strengthen the basis for mentalization in its broadest sense. Our ability to infer others' thoughts, feelings, and beliefs based on behavior is critical in childhood and remains essential as we become parents.

For instance, understanding why a child suddenly refuses to do homework may require putting ourselves in their shoes to realize they are seeking rare attention from a busy parent. Similarly, understanding a child's opposition to moving to a new apartment may involve recognizing their anticipation of joining a local scout group.

Photograph from the second season of "Lupin" Photo: Emmanuel Guimier / Netflix

The claim regarding the psychological benefits of watching "Lupin" with children is somewhat related to the argument made by American thinker Martha Nussbaum in her book "Poetic Justice." Nussbaum argued that reading novels inherently develops the reader's moral sensitivity and empathy. Critics countered that even the Nazis read beautiful literature, suggesting that understanding human emotions does not guarantee moral behavior. However, Nussbaum's point remains: the application of such understanding is crucial.

If Nussbaum faced criticism for recommending Dickens, it is clear that suggesting "Lupin" for children might also be controversial. Thus, this is not an unequivocal recommendation. If you planned to visit sharks at Hadera's power plants, explore the archaeology wing of the Israel Museum, or enjoy a screen-free family board game evening, those activities are undoubtedly better options than watching the show together.