Netflix viewers praise 'gripping' new 4-part crime drama: 'Don't watch alone'

The crime series dramatises the haunting true story of Italy's first modern serial killer, dubbed Il Mostro, who killed 16 people over the course of 17 years from 1968 to 1985. The mysterious figure would target young couples parked in cars in secluded locations.

The show opens with the brutal murder of two teenagers who were killed while in a parked car on their way to a party. When district attorney Silvia Della Monica arrives at the crime scene and the police are struggling to find clues leading them to the killer, Monica decides to lie to the press and announces that the male victim gave a detailed description of his assailant, hoping this would make the killer panic. 

The official synopsis reads: "Eight double murders. Seventeen years of terror. Always the same weapon. A .22 caliber Beretta. One of the longest and most complex Italian investigations into the first and most brutal serial killer in the country's history: The Monster of Florence.

"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."

Viewers have praised the chilling drama on social media, with one person warning others not to watch alone. They penned on X: "The streets of Italy are haunted once more in The Monster of Florence trailer. The chilling tale of Italy's first serial killer comes to Netflix, ready to terrorize a new generation. Don't watch alone," while another described the show as "incredible". 

A third person hailed the show as "the best true crime series" of the last ten years, writing: "I'm two episodes into Netflix's The Monster of Florence, and it's far and away the best true crime series of the last decade IMO. A clean procedural, and everything Ed Gein should have been. Make sure to watch in the original Italian w/ subtitles!" while another penned: "Great cast, cinematography & BGM. Slow-paced but gripping."

Liliana Bottone (Parthenope) stars as Silvia Della Monica, alongside Marco Bullitta (The Mute Man of Sardinia) as Stefano Mele, Francesca Olia (Timor) as Barbara Locci, Giacomo Fadda (To Rome with Love) as Francesco Vinci, Antonio Tintis (Happy Days Motel) as Giovanni Mele and Valentino Mannias (Miriam - Il Diario) as Salvatore Vinci.

The series is based on true events and tells of a serial killer active in Florence between 1968 and 1985, who targeted young couples. It remains one of Italy's darkest unsolved mysteries due to an investigation marred by mistakes and false leads. While three men have been charged over the years, the killer's identity is still unknown. 

The case was reopened by law enforcement in the 2000s and in 2022, the victims' families petitioned for evidence to be reexamined.

The moniker, 'Monster of Florence', was coined by crime journalist, Mario Spezi, who co-wrote the book, The Monster of Florence, with Douglas Preston. Spezi was arrested and imprisoned on charges including libel and obstructing the investigation, which were later dropped.