Netflix’s New Serial Killer Series Could Dethrone the ‘Monster’ Anthology
After a lackluster third season of Netflix’s Monster series, which centered on Ed Gein, the streaming platform has released a new true crime offering. The Monster of Florence (Il Mostro), an Italian limited series created and directed by Stefano Sollima, premiered worldwide on Netflix on October 22.
The series tells the story of one of Italy’s most infamous serial killer cases, bringing decades-old murders back into the spotlight.
In just a week, the show managed to jump to the #5 spot of most-watched shows, leaving The Ed Gein story on #7.
The Monster of Florence dramatizes the investigation into a series of killings that occurred between 1968 and 1985 in the countryside around Florence.
Eight couples were murdered while parked in isolated locations, all by an unknown assailant using a .22 caliber Beretta pistol. The investigation that followed became one of Italy’s longest and most complicated, with questions about the killer’s identity remaining for years.
Based on the unsolved case of Italy's first serial killer, THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE explores 17 years of horror that terrorized an entire generation.
— Bloody Disgusting (@BDisgusting) August 22, 2025
The four-part limited series premieres October 22 on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/KoIjHjXonh
The cast features Marco Bullitta as Stefano Mele, Valentino Mannias as Salvatore Vinci, Francesca Olia as Barbara Locci, Giacomo Fadda as Francesco Vinci, and Antonio Tintis as Giovanni Mele. The series first premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival before becoming available on Netflix.
Critics have given mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 67% of critics gave positive reviews, while Metacritic assigned a score of 58 out of 100, indicating generally average reception. Many reviewers praised the series for its strong performances and striking visuals, calling it intense and immersive.
However, some noted that the storytelling can feel fragmented, with the series working better as a character-driven drama than a tightly structured thriller. Others said it succeeds in exploring the public’s obsession with uncovering the truth, even if the plot sometimes feels scattered.
Despite mixed reviews, The Monster of Florence offers a dark and gripping look at one of Italy’s most notorious criminal cases. Its focus on character, family dynamics, and the broader societal obsession with the murders sets it apart from traditional true crime shows, making it a different kind of experience for fans of the genre.
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