The Rise of Benito Mussolini and Italy’s Descent Into Fascism
2025
Biography, Drama
8 episodes
TheNextHint Score
9.2
9.2 / 10
Overview
Mussolini: Son of the Century follows a less conventional path through one of the most significant political transformations in modern Italian history. Rather than merely retelling Mussolini's life story, the series zeroes in on the strategies, alliances, violence and political scheming that allowed him to rise from an outsider's position to the heart of Italian power. Luca Marinelli heads the cast as Mussolini, bringing a theatrical quality to the character that suits Joe Wright's intentionally unorthodox direction. The series is based on Antonio Scurati's historical novel and blends contemporary filmmaking techniques with period settings. Direct addresses to the camera, stylized rallies, archival footage and Tom Rowlands' modern score lend the drama a distinctive rhythm.
Quick Verdict
Mussolini: Son of the Century is a compelling option for those who enjoy historical dramas, political history, and unconventional television. What sets it apart most is how Joe Wright blends period narrative with direct addresses, contemporary music, and highly theatrical visuals. It is a better fit for viewers seeking an interpretation with a distinct visual identity rather than a standard documentary-style retelling.
Where to Watch Mussolini: Son of the Century in the US
Mussolini: Son of the Century is an eight-part Italian historical drama chronicling Benito Mussolini’s ascent from socialist journalist and political agitator to head of Italy’s Fascist movement. Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s 2018 novel M. Son of the Century, the series spans from the founding of the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento in 1919 to the political crisis involving socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti and Mussolini’s parliamentary speech in January 1925.
Luca Marinelli portrays Mussolini, and the narrative also devotes considerable focus to figures including Cesare Rossi, Margherita Sarfatti, Rachele Mussolini and Matteotti. Instead of treating the era as a conventional, understated historical biography, director Joe Wright employs direct-to-camera scenes, stylized staging, archival imagery, dark humor and a modern musical approach to illustrate how Mussolini accumulated political influence and shaped the atmosphere around him. The production is a Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli’s The Apartment Pictures effort, with Pathé and other partners also taking part.
The series had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024, ahead of its television release in January 2025. It earned a 96% Tomatometer score from Rotten Tomatoes across 23 reviews, along with an 89% audience score.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mussolini: Son of the Century about?
Joe Wright directs the eight-part adaptation of Antonio Scurati's novel M. Il figlio del secolo (M. Son of the Century) about Benito Mussolini's (Luca Marinelli) career between 1919 and 1925.
Is Mussolini: Son of the Century based on a true story?
Yes. It is a historical drama based on Antonio Scurati’s novel M. Son of the Century, while its central events and political figures are drawn from Mussolini’s early rise in Italy.
How many episodes does Mussolini: Son of the Century have?
The limited series has 8 episodes.
Who plays Mussolini?
Italian actor Luca Marinelli plays Benito Mussolini.
Story — Spoiler Free
The series opens in 1919, the year Benito Mussolini founds the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento, and traces his efforts to transform a small political movement into a force able to take control of Italy.↻ As elections, strikes, political alliances and Fascist violence transform the country, Mussolini shifts his strategy in order to expand his influence. The narrative ultimately arrives at the crisis involving the socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti, whose resistance to Fascist violence becomes a decisive turning point in Mussolini's political career.
9.2
TheNextHint Score
9.2 / 10
Mussolini: Son of the Century is a compelling option for those who enjoy historical dramas, political history, and unconventional television. What sets it apart most is how Joe Wright blends period narrative with direct addresses, contemporary music, and highly theatrical visuals. It is a better fit for viewers seeking an interpretation with a distinct visual identity rather than a standard documentary-style retelling.
Rating breakdown
Story
9.0
Acting
10.0
Direction
9.0
Visuals
9.0
Sound
9.0
Entertainment
9.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
The series combines a strong lead performance, striking period visuals, unconventional direction and a modern score to turn a familiar historical subject into a tense and visually distinctive political drama.
Cons
Its stylized presentation, frequent direct-to-camera sequences and fast-moving political context may feel demanding for viewers looking for a straightforward historical biography.
Who Should Watch
Historical Drama Fans
Political History Viewers
Biography Fans
Period Drama Fans
Who Should Skip
Light Entertainment Viewers
Traditional Biography Fans
Release Date
2025-01-10
Runtime
60–61 minutes
Director
Joe Wright
Producer
Lorenzo Mieli
Writer
Stefano Bises, Davide Serino, Antonio Scurati
Cast
Luca Marinelli, Francesco Russo, Barbara Chichiarelli, Benedetta Cimatti, Federico Majorana, Gaetano Bruno, Lorenzo Zurzolo, Maurizio Lombardi, Paolo Pierobon, Vincenzo Nemolato
Music
Tom Rowlands
Cinematography
Seamus McGarvey
Studio
Sky Studios
Distributor
Fremantle
Production Company
Sky Studios; The Apartment Pictures; Small Forward Productions; Pathé; Fremantle; CINECITTÀ; Sky
The central figure whose political rise forms the focus of the series.
Francesco Russo
as
Cesare Rossi
A close political associate of Mussolini.
Barbara Chichiarelli
as
Margherita Sarfatti
Writer, critic and Mussolini's prominent companion.
Benedetta Cimatti
as
Rachele Mussolini
Mussolini's wife
Gaetano Bruno
as
Giacomo Matteotti
Socialist politician whose opposition to Fascism becomes crucial to the later episodes.
Federico Majorana
as
Amerigo Dumini
Lorenzo Zurzolo
as
Italo Balbo
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
8 episodes January 10, 2025Completed
Season 1 traces Mussolini's evolution from a political agitator into the leading figure of Italy's Fascist movement. Over the course of eight episodes, it examines the founding of the Fascist movement, the political upheaval of the postwar period, Mussolini's arrival in Parliament, the emergence of the Blackshirts, his tactics surrounding elections, and the growing confrontation with Giacomo Matteotti. The season concludes amid the political crisis sparked by Matteotti's assassination and the fallout it brought upon Mussolini's government.↻
1Chapter 1
60 min January 10, 2025
Mussolini forms the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento as D'Annunzio takes Fiume, giving Mussolini an opportunity to expand his political influence.
2Chapter 2
63 min January 10, 2025
After the Socialists perform strongly in the election, Mussolini's position appears weakened, but wealthy landowners and industrialists turn to him during widespread strikes.
3Chapter 3
51 min January 17, 2025
Once in Parliament, Mussolini attempts to present himself as a more diplomatic statesman, while the Blackshirts create problems for his strategy.
4Chapter 4
56 min January 17, 2025
Political unrest grows after the king excludes the Socialists from government, while Mussolini threatens a Fascist uprising.
5Chapter 5
52 min January 17, 2025
Mussolini pushes for an electoral law that could deliver an absolute majority, facing opposition from Catholic politician Luigi Sturzo.
6Chapter 6
52 min January 24, 2025
Mussolini broadens his party lists by bringing in politicians from other political backgrounds, provoking opposition from early Fascists including Cesare Forni.
7Chapter 7
52 min January 31, 2025
After Mussolini's electoral victory, Giacomo Matteotti challenges the result and condemns Blackshirt violence.
8Chapter 8
62 min January 31, 2025
The discovery of Matteotti's body and the arrest of those responsible leave Mussolini facing a serious political crisis.
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