‘The Trial’: Netflix’s Unknown Masterpiece
Justice is “a mechanism made of rules and procedures” that, through an unbiased lens, “serves to discover the truth about a crime.”
This is the ideology of prosecutor Elena Guerra, the protagonist of the Italian television drama “The Trial,” or “Il Presseco.”Just as the blessed Italian nun she was named after was dedicated to the Holy Spirit, Elena’s devotion to law, justice and truth makes her a formidable force.
On the cusp of taking a year of absence to mend her crumbling marriage, the murdered body of 17-year-old Angelica Petroni washes up in the city’s canal, and Elena is asked to head the investigation. She quickly uncovers evidence personally linking her to the case in a way that could not only put her career at risk but has her questioning the role of justice. She takes the case against her better judgment and dives in head-first.
With the lead suspect, Linda Monaco, being the daughter of the city’s wealthiest businessman, the case skyrocketed into the public eye. The charismatic Ruggero Barone then rises to oppose Elena who, unlike Elena, is set on winning purely for reputation.
Set and filmed in the beautiful Renaissance city of Mantua in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, “The Trial” is a story of secrets, backstabbing betrayal, the complexity of law and the emotional turmoil of guilt. Billie Eilish’s sinister bop “Bury a Friend” is used in the title sequence, aptly setting the stage for a murder mystery.
Originally airing between Nov. 29 and Dec. 13, 2019 on the Italian television station Canale 5, it was released for streaming on Netflix on April 10, 2020. It’s rated TV-MA for language and nudity. In two episodes, the victim’s naked corpse is seen in the autopsy room. Though brief and nonsexual, these shots are potentially offensive and unsettling. There are frequent sex scenes throughout but they, too, are quick with limited nudity and can easily be skipped without ruining the plot.
Although the series concludes with the case closing and the full truth of the murder being revealed, there’s enough of an open ending for a second season to expand on the final revelations. At this time, the producers have not acknowledged these questions.
If you enjoy murder mysteries, crime thrillers, or simply good cinema, “The Trial” will blow you away.
The cast is headed by popular Italian actress Vittoria Puccini who carries the emotional heart of the show with her intimately personal portrayal of the complex Elena Guerra. Her presence in the courtroom demands respect while her vulnerability hits closer than expected. As her opponent Ruggero Barone, actor Francesco Scianna has an equally strong performance that will give you the overwhelming desire to slap him. Together, their characters are the perfect balance of arrogance, pride and the difference between justice and law.
Along with this, the lead suspect, Linda Monaco, is an allusive character who, both seductive and vulnerable, can never quite be trusted.
Beyond a talented cast, the show’s writing keeps audiences guessing and actively engaged in the unraveling case. In a world filled with murder-mystery films, television shows and novels, “The Trial” never seems basic or familiar in its approach. The sets, cinematography and soundtrack are all impeccable, creating a high-budget look and sound.
The fact it passes under the radar in American Netflix algorithms is a crime.
Be sure to have the audio settings on the original Italian with English subtitles. The unsynced and monotone dubbed audio distracts from the story.
Dara Lusk was born and raised in northern Virginia outside of Washington, DC. She is majoring in English with an emphasis in Technical/Professional Writing and a minor in Anthropology. When not writing she loves reading and annotating classic literature.
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