The Monster of Florence

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Overview

As a serial killer targets couples and strikes terror in Italy, authorities explore a case from 1968 that may be key to finding The Monster of Florence.

Media

The Monster of Florence | Official Trailer | Netflix

Cast

Valentino Mannias

Liliana Bottone

Creator:

Leonardo Fasoli, Stefano Sollima

Fist Air Date:

2025-10-22

Episode Runtime:

undefinedm

Production Companies:

The Apartment Pictures, AlterEgo

Genres:

Crime Drama Mystery

Keywords:

1960s 1980s based on true story miniseries serial killer thriller

More Show Details

Vote Average: 6.2/10

Vote Count: 132 Votes

Show Popularity: 3.228

Show Status: Ended

Show Type: Miniseries

Spoken Languages: Italian

Review

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Insomniacs Reviews
- 23 April 2026 at 8:39 am

7 Based on 1 Votes
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⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 7/10 THE SUMMARY Step into the shadows of Tuscany for a true crime story that has haunted Italy for decades. *The Monster of Florence* (Italian: *Il Mostro*, 2025) is a four-part Netflix limited series directed by Stefano Sollima (*Gomorrah*, *ZeroZeroZero*). It dramatizes the agonizing investigation into Italy's most notorious serial killer case: the murder of eight couples in "lovers' lanes" around Florence between 1968 and 1985. Unlike the Hollywood-saturated versions often pitched (yes, Antonio Banderas was once attached to a different adaptation), this Italian production focuses on the procedural gridlock, the forensic failures, and the cultural paranoia that gripped the region. By April 23, 2026, it is officially the "sober successor" to *Dahmer* in the 900+ archive, trading sensationalism for a cold, documentary-like precision. THE PROS Stefano Sollima’s direction is a total win; he brings a sincere, unblinking realism to the screen that makes the 900+ archive feel significantly more authentic. Marco Bullitta and Valentino Mannias deliver powerhouse, disturbing performances that capture the messy, controversial nature of the prime suspects. The show’s biggest win is its "period accuracy"—the cinematography by Paolo Carnera is the business, perfectly recreating the look of 1970s and 80s Italy without making it feel like a costume party. The focus on ADA Silvia Della Monica (Liliana Bottone) provides a sincere, necessary perspective on the immense pressure faced by the investigators in a case that seemed impossible to solve. THE CONS It is a 7/10 because it is an unapologetic Languid Burn that refuses to give the audience easy answers. It misses the 8/10 mark because the four-episode structure—while tight—can be a total head-scratcher for those unfamiliar with the actual case's 50-year history, often skipping over massive chunks of legal minutiae. It is total garbage that the series ends on such a somber, inconclusive note, though that is a sincere reflection of the real-world mystery. For some, the "sober staging" can feel a bit too dry, lacking the psychological "hook" that made other Netflix *Monster* installments global phenomena. THE VERDICT A 7/10. It is a genuine, chilling, and meticulously crafted piece of true crime. I was slightly gutted that we didn't get more than four episodes to explore the "Sardinian Trail" in more depth, but Sollima’s restraint is ultimately a masterstroke. It is total garbage if you want a popcorn thriller with a satisfying "catch the killer" finale, but as a haunting look at how a monster can hide in plain sight for decades, it’s a vault essential. By April 23, 2026, it stands as the definitive visual record of Italy’s darkest criminal chapter, celebrated for its refusal to turn real-life tragedy into cheap entertainment. INSOMNIAC TRIVIA * 10th Anniversary: The series was released on October 22, 2025, specifically to coincide with Netflix's 10th anniversary in Italy, marking it as a "prestige" flagship for the region.* Sollima & Fasoli: This marks yet another collaboration between Stefano Sollima and writer Leonardo Fasoli, the duo behind the gritty aesthetics of *Gomorrah* and *ZeroZeroZero*.* Real Locations: To ensure the "vibe" was the business, the production filmed in the actual areas surrounding Florence where the crimes took place, including some of the original "lovers' lane" sites.* 2026 Connection: This April, *The Monster of Florence* has seen a 2026 "Case Reopening" surge. Fans are currently flooding social media with "Beretta .22" theories after a real-life forensic discovery in Tuscany last week sparked a massive re-watch trend among amateur sleuths this week. THE VIBE Like a cold wind blowing through an olive grove at night. It is quiet, clinical, and deeply unsettling. It makes you want to stay in well-lit areas, distrust local folklore, and realize that sometimes the scariest thing about a monster isn't the act itself, but the fact that the truth is often lost to time.

TV Show Poster

Season 1

4 Episodes

Air Date: 2025-10-22

Eight double murders. 17 years of terror. Always the same weapon: a .22 caliber Beretta. In Italy, a faceless serial killer sows panic, sparking one of the longest and most complex investigations ever.T

Videos

The Monster of Florence | Official Trailer | Netflix

The Monster of Florence | Official Teaser | Netflix

The Monster of Florence | Official Teaser | Netflix

Cast

Valentino Mannias

Liliana Bottone

Barbara Pitzianti

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Reviews for

The Monster of Florence

Comment (1)

Insomniacs Reviews
- 23 April 2026 at 9:39 AM

⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 7/10
THE SUMMARY
Step into the shadows of Tuscany for a true crime story that has haunted Italy for decades. *The Monster of Florence* (Italian: *Il Mostro*, 2025) is a four-part Netflix limited series directed by Stefano Sollima (*Gomorrah*, *ZeroZeroZero*). It dramatizes the agonizing investigation into Italy’s most notorious serial killer case: the murder of eight couples in “lovers’ lanes” around Florence between 1968 and 1985. Unlike the Hollywood-saturated versions often pitched (yes, Antonio Banderas was once attached to a different adaptation), this Italian production focuses on the procedural gridlock, the forensic failures, and the cultural paranoia that gripped the region. By April 23, 2026, it is officially the “sober successor” to *Dahmer* in the 900+ archive, trading sensationalism for a cold, documentary-like precision.
THE PROS
Stefano Sollima’s direction is a total win; he brings a sincere, unblinking realism to the screen that makes the 900+ archive feel significantly more authentic. Marco Bullitta and Valentino Mannias deliver powerhouse, disturbing performances that capture the messy, controversial nature of the prime suspects. The show’s biggest win is its “period accuracy”—the cinematography by Paolo Carnera is the business, perfectly recreating the look of 1970s and 80s Italy without making it feel like a costume party. The focus on ADA Silvia Della Monica (Liliana Bottone) provides a sincere, necessary perspective on the immense pressure faced by the investigators in a case that seemed impossible to solve.
THE CONS
It is a 7/10 because it is an unapologetic Languid Burn that refuses to give the audience easy answers. It misses the 8/10 mark because the four-episode structure—while tight—can be a total head-scratcher for those unfamiliar with the actual case’s 50-year history, often skipping over massive chunks of legal minutiae. It is total garbage that the series ends on such a somber, inconclusive note, though that is a sincere reflection of the real-world mystery. For some, the “sober staging” can feel a bit too dry, lacking the psychological “hook” that made other Netflix *Monster* installments global phenomena.
THE VERDICT
A 7/10. It is a genuine, chilling, and meticulously crafted piece of true crime. I was slightly gutted that we didn’t get more than four episodes to explore the “Sardinian Trail” in more depth, but Sollima’s restraint is ultimately a masterstroke. It is total garbage if you want a popcorn thriller with a satisfying “catch the killer” finale, but as a haunting look at how a monster can hide in plain sight for decades, it’s a vault essential. By April 23, 2026, it stands as the definitive visual record of Italy’s darkest criminal chapter, celebrated for its refusal to turn real-life tragedy into cheap entertainment.
INSOMNIAC TRIVIA
* 10th Anniversary: The series was released on October 22, 2025, specifically to coincide with Netflix’s 10th anniversary in Italy, marking it as a “prestige” flagship for the region.
* Sollima & Fasoli: This marks yet another collaboration between Stefano Sollima and writer Leonardo Fasoli, the duo behind the gritty aesthetics of *Gomorrah* and *ZeroZeroZero*.
* Real Locations: To ensure the “vibe” was the business, the production filmed in the actual areas surrounding Florence where the crimes took place, including some of the original “lovers’ lane” sites.
* 2026 Connection: This April, *The Monster of Florence* has seen a 2026 “Case Reopening” surge. Fans are currently flooding social media with “Beretta .22” theories after a real-life forensic discovery in Tuscany last week sparked a massive re-watch trend among amateur sleuths this week.
THE VIBE
Like a cold wind blowing through an olive grove at night. It is quiet, clinical, and deeply unsettling. It makes you want to stay in well-lit areas, distrust local folklore, and realize that sometimes the scariest thing about a monster isn’t the act itself, but the fact that the truth is often lost to time.

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