By Irshad Khan 
Netflix’s “The Monster of Florence” plunges viewers into Italy’s most infamous unsolved serial killer case, unraveling both the horror of the crimes and the murkiness of the investigation. While the four-episode miniseries impresses with atmosphere and historical authenticity, its convoluted structure and grim tone have divided both viewers and critics.
Sources
Review: A Chilling, Unsettling True Crime
Directed by Stefano Sollima and written with Leonardo Fasoli, “The Monster of Florence” is a meticulously-crafted drama recounting the unsolved serial killings that terrorized Florence between 1968 and 1985. The show follows the horrifying string of attacks on young lovers, delving into a whiplash of suspects, family secrets, and law enforcement paranoia. Critics praise the series for its commitment to detail, sense of rural Italian unease, and reserved performances. The countryside settings and period costuming successfully place the viewer in the shadowy heart of the crimes.
However, some reviewers find the structure confusing, noting abrupt time jumps and a narrative that shifts perspectives almost too frequently, sometimes at the expense of character depth. The editing and non-linear storytelling—intended to evoke the complexity and frustration of the real case—at times leave viewers disoriented. While the violence is impactful and realistic, some have found the depiction of certain events unnecessarily harrowing or even exploitative. In the end, the miniseries delivers a somber meditation on failure, corruption, and the impossibility of absolute truth in the face of evil.
The Monster of Florence: Cast and Characters
The ensemble is largely Italian and well-chosen for authenticity. Notable cast members include Marco Bullitta as Stefano Mele, Francesca Olia as Barbara Locci, Giacomo Fadda as Francesco Vinci, Valentino Mannias as Salvatore Vinci, Liliana Bottone as Prosecutor Silvia Della Monica, and Antonio Tintis as Giovanni Mele. The cast also features Giordano Mannu, each contributing to the series’ sober and realistic tone.
The four-episode structure allows each installment to focus on a different angle and set of suspects, providing multi-faceted insight into the investigation’s dead ends. Special mention goes to Francesca Olia, who brings tragic dimension to the series’ initial murder case, and Marco Bullitta’s measured, haunted performance as Stefano Mele. This approach is ambitious and fits the cold-case format, showing the weight of accusation and rumor on ordinary lives.
Plot Overview: Facts, Family, and Fear
The miniseries chronicles one of Europe’s longest-running serial murder investigations, infamous for its sensational media coverage and the inability of Italian authorities to reach closure. The Monster of Florence claims at least 16 lives across eight attacks, with each episode reconstructing major suspects’ stories and following police and public hysteria. The investigation pulls viewers through shifting theories, political interference, and the destructive impact on Florence’s families—especially when suspicion divides communities and scars generations.
The drama is notable for emphasizing the confusion and anguish, rather than focusing simply on the killer. The four-episode narrative avoids clean resolutions and instead lays bare a legacy of suspicion, prejudice, and institutional failure—a thematic choice that distinguishes this series from more sensationalized true crime fare.
Future of the Series: Will There Be Season 2?
Despite the overwhelming viewer fascination and critical buzz, “The Monster of Florence” was conceived and promoted as a limited miniseries, with all four episodes released globally on October 22, 2025. As of now, Netflix has neither renewed nor cancelled the show for a second season. Industry observers note that, given the case remains unsolved and the story is largely complete, a renewal is highly unlikely unless new evidence or a wider anthology approach emerges.
Showrunner Stefano Sollima has stated the show’s purpose is not to solve the crime but to remember and reflect honestly on its legacy. Ratings could tempt Netflix to commission another season, but the unresolved nature and artistic intent make any follow-up improbable for now. Fans of true crime anthology or Italian noir, however, may find hope if Netflix opts to use the same creative team for other infamous European mysteries in the future.
Should You Stream It?
If you enjoy somber, atmospheric true crime with attention to period detail and moral ambiguity, “The Monster of Florence” will intrigue and disturb in equal measure. Its commitment to realism, refusal to offer tidy answers, and willingness to sit with discomfort make it an outlier in the genre. For some, the slow pacing and fragmented structure might be a turn-off, but the strong cast, authentic setting, and genuinely haunting narrative offer a unique, quietly devastating experience.
Recommended only if you’re ready for a raw look at crime, society, and the human toll of unsolved horror—don’t expect closure, but do expect craftsmanship and a lingering sense of unease.