Credit: Netflix

Minerva Academy on Netflix initially looks like an ordinary teen drama, set against the backdrop of a strict military high school in Naples. But the more viewers explore the halls of discipline and action, the more they realise there is barely anything typical about the students’ teenage lives.

The Italian drama opens with the enrolment of a new batch of freshers, including Salvo, who joins the military school with a secret motive that evolves into the core anchor of suspense.

Salvo enters the premises with a burning question about his friend Francesco, who was super enthusiastic about attending the school before him. However, he has seemingly vanished without a trace since enrolment, prompting Salvo to push every senior and teacher for an answer.

It doesn’t take long for the audience to realise the school has been trying to conceal something when it comes to Francesco. But do they ever find out the truth about what really happened to him?

What actually happened to Salvo’s friend, Francesco, in Minerva Academy?

Throughout Minerva Academy, Netflix’s newest Italian teen-mystery drama, the questions keep rising about Salvo’s missing friend, Francesco. Although it is clear that Diego has something to do with Francesco, he remains tight-lipped because of his father, whom he’s determined to make proud. However, with Salvo’s arrival, the questions can no longer be ignored, as he doesn’t plan to stop before he gets his answers.

Salvo’s investigation slowly brings the truth to light, thanks to a video that proves Francesco and Diego had romantic feelings for each other, and they even acted on it. But since Diego didn’t want to offend or disappoint his father, he didn’t pursue anything seriously with Francesco. If anything, Diego desperately wanted to hide the scene from his father. So, in the process, he ruthlessly abused Francesco.

While Achille made sure to frame things in a way that seemed like Francesco took his own life, the truth is entirely different. In the aftermath, Francesco left the school without informing anyone to distance himself from the toxicity, torment, violence, and systemic failures. Diego tracks him down with Esposito’s help and informs him about Salvo’s desperate search.

By episode seven, Salvo knows it all – the abuse and injustice Francesco became a victim of. The latter was convinced that the school would try to bury things, especially because of Achille’s son’s involvement. This is why he revealed the truth to Teresa Bonauito. Teresa and Laura tried to bring the much-needed change within the school system, but that didn’t really happen.

As a result, Francesco left town to start anew, living a quiet life with wholehearted acceptance. In the end, fans witness Salvo finally meeting his long-lost friend in the middle of the school ball, where they put the pieces of the puzzle back together.