2 Best Movies to Watch by Eduardo Scarpetta

This six-episode whodunit isn’t breaking any new ground, but it’s entertaining and engaging, especially with the rebellious Lidia Poët (Matilda De Angelis) as the lead. She’s smart and determined but not wholly immune to weaknesses—a sort of Enola Holmes for the more mature crowd. Her story is also a timeless reminder of the uphill battle women have fought (and are continuing to fight) for visibility and equality. 

The familiar setup might also work for classic mystery fans. It’s a treat to dive into each episode knowing a new case is to be solved and a new lesson to be learned. The ending might be predictable at times, but this is one of those shows where the journey matters more than the destination. Italy in the early 20th century was a surprisingly restrictive and patriarchal society, making Lidia's successes all the more noteworthy and resonant.

Genre: Crime, Drama, War & Politics

Actor: Dario Aita, Eduardo Scarpetta, Matilda De Angelis, Nicolo Pasetti, Sara Lazzaro

Director: Letizia Lamartire, Matteo Rovere

Rating: TV-MA

In the previous centuries, people were born into and died without ever being able to change their status. Nobles remained nobles and peasants remained peasants. But around the Renaissance, the idea of commerce and education allowed some leeway for men to reach a higher station, and for the Florios of Sicily, they’re able to reach higher spaces through the sheer force of will. This is an interesting idea, and The Lions of Sicily by Stefania Auci is able to capture it, but its show counterpart falters in depicting this. The sets and costumes are up to par, but the screenplay is unable to balance between the backstories, with the episode slipping confusedly in and between timelines.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Donatella Finocchiaro, Eduardo Scarpetta, Michele Riondino, Miriam Leone, Vinicio Marchioni

Director: Paolo Genovese

Rating: TV-MA