A New Serial Killer Show on Netflix Is Challenging the ‘Monster’ Anthology for the Top Spot
After a disappointing third season of Netflix’s Monster series, which focused on the infamous killer Ed Gein, the streaming giant is giving true crime fans something new to watch.
The platform’s latest addition, The Monster of Florence (Il Mostro), is an Italian limited series that dives deep into one of Italy’s most disturbing real-life murder cases. The series, created and directed by Stefano Sollima, was released worldwide on October 22. coinciding with Netflix’s 10th anniversary in Italy.
In just a week, the show managed to jump to the #5 spot of most-watched shows, leaving The Ed Gein story on #7.
Based on true events, the show follows the investigation of a series of brutal murders that terrorized the countryside near Florence between 1968 and 1985. During that time, eight couples were attacked and killed while parked in secluded areas. The unknown killer, who used a .22 caliber Beretta pistol, became known as “The Monster of Florence.”
The case went on to become one of Italy’s longest-running and most complicated criminal investigations, leaving the country haunted by unanswered questions about who the murderer really was.
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 includes 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 Venice International Film Festival before arriving on Netflix for global audiences.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds a 67% approval rating from critics, while Metacritic gives it a score of 58 out of 100, meaning reviews are generally mixed.
Critics seem divided about the tone and pacing but agree that the series looks visually stunning and features powerful performances. Some reviewers say it focuses more on family drama than thriller elements, while others appreciate how it explores society’s obsession with finding the truth.
One reviewer described the show as “beautiful to look at, and the performances are uniformly excellent.” Another said that the story feels “like a mosaic of character and incident rather than a fluent narrative,” pointing out that the plot sometimes feels scattered. Still, many praised Sollima for turning a dark chapter in Italian history into a thought-provoking crime drama.
Even though The Monster of Florence may not be as fast-paced or flashy as Netflix’s Monster anthology, it has a very different energy. It leans more toward realism and atmosphere, using its moody cinematography and emotional depth to pull viewers into the tension of the time.
The series offers a mix of mystery, tragedy, and historical reflection, giving audiences a look at how one terrifying case shaped Italy’s modern true crime culture.
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