Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton
Week of October 20, 2025
Mussolini: Son of the Century
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Streaming on MUBI
Italian with English Subtitles
One of my favorite directors, Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice) created this this controversial yet stunning series that did well in Europe but had troubles getting a release in the states. The highly stylistic series follows the Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini (Luca Marinelli) from his entry into government to the moment where he begins to assume control over the Italian people. Told over eight episodes, the drama attempts to show what kind of man can have this effect on his people, but also shows how fairly easy it is for evil people to win over their citizens when the conditions are ripe for change, especially when times are volatile and challenging for the average person. Apparently, the show was met with a lot of controversy, largely because Mussolini was presented here as being so largely charismatic. But historically, charisma explains a lot when looking at the people who blindly follow him. What becomes very obvious, very quickly is that the show tries to draw comparisons to modern day strongmen, and in particular our current administration. Much of the show, in a less than subtle manner, tries to demonstrate that there is a playbook that our sitting president follows along with in lock step. At one moment, Marinelli breaks the fourth wall (something that he does frequently) in order to tell the camera “Make Italy Great Again.” This is something that will obviously hit a lot of people the wrong way. Personally, I feel the comparisons are real and fairly made here, and our current situation only lacks the violence Mussolini showed towards his adversaries and enemies. The biggest surprise is where the show landed, on the MUBI streaming channel. With this kind of pedigree and the stellar reviews, you would think that the show would be the series du jour on a streamer like HBO or Paramount, but at least now with MUBI we get an option to finally see it, uncensored. While the cast might not be known here in the US, it is an incredible group of actors, many of whom get their chance to shine throughout the series. But what is most impressive is Joe Wright’s visionary directing, which is violent, playful and thoughtful in equal measure. I just hope a big enough audience will be able to check this one out, and possibly give the filmmakers the ability to take on several more seasons as Mussolini’s journey is only beginning when this series ends. A