A new Netflix drama is set to reignite debate over one of Italy's most notorious unsolved serial killer cases, the Monster of Florence, which has gripped the nation for half a century. The four-part series, directed by Stefano Sollima and released on 22 October, focuses on the early stages of the investigation, particularly the so-called 'Sardinian line' involving the Vinci brothers.
The case involves the brutal murders of at least seven couples, though some believe the number of victims is higher. The killings occurred between 1968 and 1985, with a spate of attacks in the 1980s. Victims were typically young lovers in parked cars, shot with a Beretta .22 series 70 pistol before being stabbed and sexually mutilated. In one instance, part of a victim's breast was mailed to a female investigator.
The series, titled 'The Monster of Florence', presents the story from multiple perspectives, including those of suspects Stefano Mele and his brother Giovanni, as well as the Vinci brothers. Mele was initially convicted for the 1968 murder of his wife and her lover, but later excluded as a suspect for the later killings. The case has spawned a community of amateur sleuths known as 'monsterologists', some of whom suspect involvement by elements within law enforcement.
Author Tobias Jones, who has examined the evidence, notes the 'creepy ritualism' of the murders, with victims often in states of arousal and women subjected to sexual mutilation. The series is expected to explore theories linking the killings to satanic rituals, a recurring theme in the case's history. Sollima, known for his work on 'Gomorrah' and 'Suburra', aims to capture the 'weird giddiness' of a case where 'everything can seem true, as can its contrary'.
