SummaryThe investigation into the Italian serial killer dubbed the Monster of Florence leads to four suspects over the years in the four-part Italian drama series from Leonardo Fasoli and Stefano Sollima based on the still unsolved cases.
SummaryThe investigation into the Italian serial killer dubbed the Monster of Florence leads to four suspects over the years in the four-part Italian drama series from Leonardo Fasoli and Stefano Sollima based on the still unsolved cases.
The property that Monster of Florence most clearly evokes is David Fincher's time-spanning period masterpiece Zodiac, which was clearly an influence. Though this Netflix true crime miniseries doesn't reach those same heights (admittedly, not many crime films or series have), it's often remarkable, lingering long after the final episode is over.
Making a miniseries about a serial killer always has potential, but here the result doesn’t quite deliver. The Monster of Florence aims to be an elegant, atmospheric true crime story —slow, reflective, and serious— but it ends up being too slow for its own good. Instead of building tension, it drains it. There’s no clear main character or strong narrative thread to pull the viewer in, and the story feels scattered and unfocused.Stefano Sollima tries to add depth through fragmented storytelling, jumping back and forth in time and showing events from different perspectives. It’s an interesting idea, but confusion wins over intrigue. At times, it feels more like an exercise in style than a compelling **** best part lies in the atmosphere —that unsettling Tuscan landscape, the impeccable cinematography, and the ever-present sense of quiet danger. There’s talent behind the camera, but also a lack of rhythm and emotional ****’s not a failure, but definitely a missed opportunity. If you’re looking for a human, grounded take on the case without sensationalism, you might find something here. But if you expect a gripping, addictive thriller, you’ll likely tune out before the end.
The narrative’s complexity can sometimes be confusing, particularly when it hops between time periods in quick succession. But “The Monster of Florence” rewards repeat viewings.
The Monster of Florence is too enamored with its structural trickery to paint a coherent picture of the social mores that led to such violence and then sabotaged any attempts to investigate it. Thus, the series struggles to justify its narrow focus on the 1968 murders.