Don't judge us, but we just can’t get enough of crime dramas with a creepy, real-life edge and lucky for us (and you!), Netflix has another one up its sleeve. The Monster of Florence is the creepy new cold case drama, which follows the story of ‘Il Mostro di Firenze’ (The Monster of Florence), a notorious killer who shook Italy to its core throughout the ‘60s, '70s and '80s - and we should warn you, the gritty TV series isn't for the faint-hearted!

The four-part series delves into the criminal case that terrified Italy for 17 years. During that time, the killer carried out 8 double murders - and despite being regarded as the country’s first modern serial killer, the killer has never been unmasked. The series will kick off from the very first inquiry and reconstruct one of the most complex and controversial investigations in Italian history.

While we wait The Monster of Florence to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the plot, cast and release date.

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What is The Monster of Florence about?

The four-part Italian crime drama - don’t worry, it has English dubbing - is a dramatic retelling of the decades-long search for ‘Il Mostro di Firenze’ (The Monster of Florence), widely considered to be Italy’s first serial killer. Between the late 1960s and mid-80s, he terrorised areas surrounding Florence, targeting young couples parked up in cars in secluded locations. The series draws on real events and testimonies, plus court records, to paint a vivid picture of the national panic that the killer sparked.

il mostro
netflix

Netflix’s official synopsis describes it as “one of the longest and most complex Italian investigations into the first and most brutal serial killer in the country’s history.” It continues: “This story is based on ongoing legal proceedings and investigations. In a story where there have been many possible monsters, over time and investigations, our story focuses on them, the possible monsters, from their point of view. Because the monster, in the end, could be anyone.”

What happened in the real-life case of the Monster of Florence?

The Monster of Florence is considered one of Italy’s most brutal serial killers - often compared to America’s Zodiac Killer due to it being such a lengthy and mysterious case. Over the course of 17 years from 1968, the killer murdered 16 victims - focusing on young lovers who were parked in cars in search of intimacy in the outskirts of Florence. He always used the same weapon - a .22 caliber Beretta pistol - and often mutilated female victims afterwards. Over many years, several investigations have tried to uncover the killer's identity, but it remains a mystery.

the monster of florence
netflix

Dozens of suspects were investigated - including farmers and members of secret societies. At some points, people speculated that Satanic cults were involved, while other theories suggested there were multiple killers using similar modus operandi. But all the false leads and conflicting theories simply complicated the case further, and several men were arrested, convicted, and later released due to a lack of evidence.

Director Stefano Sollima spent over a year researching the hugely complex case. In a statement, he said: “Horror, to be truly told, must be faced, not avoided. And a story, to come through with clarity, without embracing a thesis, must begin at the very beginning. To recount it with honesty, respect and rigour must still carry meaning. Not to solve, not to explain, but simply to remember. A way to remain close to those who were left there, forever in the night.”

Who’s in the cast of The Monster of Florence?

The cast of The Monster of Florence includes:

  • Marco Bullitta
  • Valentino Mannias
  • Francesca Olia
  • Liliana Bottone
  • Giacomo Fadda
  • Antonio Tintis
  • Giordano Mannu

Is there a trailer for The Monster of Florence?

Yes, you can watch the eerie trailer for The Monster of Florence below.

How can I watch The Monster of Florence?

il mostro
netflix

Good news - The Monster of Florence is coming to Netflix very soon! It will be available to watch via the streamer on Wednesday 22nd October, and will feature four episodes.

What other real-life dramas can I watch now?

toxic town
Netflix

We’d highly recommend watching Toxic Town, another Netflix series, which is based on the horrifying Corby poisonings of the ‘80s and ‘90s. It stars Jodie Whittaker and all four episodes are available to stream now on Netflix. We're also eagerly awaiting the arrival of new ITV drama I Fought The Law, which will arrive on our screens on Sunday 31st August. Starring Sheridan Smith, the series follows the true story of a mother fighting for justice after her daughter was brutally murdered, and is a harrowing yet important watch.