Suburra: Blood on Rome (2017–2020) User Reviews

Highly addictive Italian goodness!

[shilkmake-11153 · 9/10 · 13 October 2017]

Suburra is simply awesome. I was lured into watching it after some frenetic Netflix advertising and am glad I did.

This series, although not without flaws and the occasional cheesy indulgence, is highly entertaining and addictive. What's better than a double cross? A triple cross, of course! Watching the various factions (Mafia, Vatican, politicians and local crime families) battle it out is exhilarating. Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer!

Suburra has everything you'll need if energetic, fast paced entertainment is your thing. Watching the players sinking in the quicksand they've created is just an added bonus.

In summary I can say only one thing: Come on Season Two!

Addictive

[nicoba-95541 · 9/10 · 12 November 2017]

Amazing acting, amazing characters, addictive plot! Rome as you've never seen it before. 9/10. A must watch for every mafia-related movie fan! Has a very interesting and underground vibe, and a new perspective of the different families of Rome. Its available on Netflix, there are 10 chapters. I'm definitely waiting for a new season.

Excellent Television.

[tmaria1 · 9/10 · 8 October 2017]

As I watched this series I thought of Breaking Bad. In a way it is like that series because it feels like the same....like a slow whirlpool digressing from episode to episode into the abyss. In the criminal world one step forward is really like two steps backwards. Unlike Breaking Bad here we have many characters that are all caught in the whirlpool not just one central figure. This series masterfully shows how corruption can poison every walk of life and there is no better setting than in Rome. The cinematography is beautiful and well lit. The production design and the sets are outstanding. The Gypsy home is so well done it deserves an award. The characters are developed better than most series ... they come across as real people. The story behind it all is excellent and lets be honest that is the most important thing. As with any dramatic series some relationships and circumstance do seem a bit contrived but for the sake of time it needs to be that way. Its cleverly done. Each episode starts with a flash forward to the end and we are flashed back to the previous day leading up to that moment. I thought it worked well. There are so many series to choose from out there but do take the time to watch this one. Its worth it. Two thumbs up on this one...way up.

AURELIA NO!!! (Series 3)

[MadamWarden · 9/10 · 6 November 2020]

This is an absolutely cracking series. Terrific acting, characters, script, plot, direction. So un-Hollywood!

It really sucks you in. The character development is superb. A Romeo and Juliet level of pathos and tragedy.

I guess you can tell that I loved all 3 series but the last is superb!!

Truly great television the likes of which you won't find elsewhere.

[jmccrmck-65172 · 8/10 · 2 April 2019]

There are precious few film projects that are as well done as this series. #1 You are going to want want to watch the whole thing. #2 This is epic storytelling at its finest, the plot is cohesive, the dialogue extremely well written and the acting is first rate for every character in every scene. #3 The production values and cinematography are as as good as what you would expect in a golden globe nominated film. With all the money that gets spent on producing titles for television one wonders why more are not as good as this one. In its second season this series will draw you in and , for me , never disappoints. It is , IMO, a rare gem indeed. Competing and conflicting interests and desires from assorted characters in a complex plot that you can easily follow. It is a real thriller.

Brilliant

[gnocchi-30711 · 9/10 · 11 October 2017]

This is the Italian series y'all been waiting for.

This is the potential that I saw back in the days in "Romanzo Criminale La Series" transferred in a series targeted to an international audience.

Brilliant, intriguing, violent, twisted.

Must watch!

Brilliant better than the Film

[kevincressard · 9/10 · 8 October 2017]

Absolutely fantastic, I enjoyed the Film but the series is even better, perhaps because of character and story development, plus the architectural backdrop and beautiful filming of Rome and the Vatican helps to create it as a masterpiece.

The three main males, and female leads are good, as is the script making you want to watch more. It's good to see two of the original Suburra actors in the series too, Alessandro Borghi is certainly one to watch out in Hollywood surely?

Love the trashy Gypsy wedding, intrigue, and secretes each male lead has to hide.

I hope this series continues

a poor man's "Gomorrah"

[firenze_italia · 7/10 · 27 December 2017]

I'll watch the next season and I'll watch the film now, but frankly I only watched this to hold me until season 3 of "Gomorrah: La Serie" dropped and I still feel the same about it. Enjoyable and yet it doesn't hold a candle to "Gomorrah". I have a hard time believing these young street punks are able to outsmart and go toe-to-toe with older and wiser gangsters and operators.

Shame on 3rd season and Netflix.

[danielcereto · 8/10 · 14 November 2020]

First two seasons were amazing but after watching season 3 I have to downgrade the rating from a previous 10 to a generous 8 because of season 3 failure. I don't understand why they have decided to end the series just ONLY using six episodes. Everything was solid from two previous seasons, so, Why? Shame on Netflix that knows how to ruin an amazing series. Stupid decisions to conclude poorly an amazing show.

Season 1 - Great; Season 2 - Unbelievable.

[msgpat · 6/10 · 18 March 2019]

Thoroughly enjoyed Season 1, looked forward to Season 2 and gave up after 20mins or so - Why? Mainly 2 things (a) Aureliano's appearance changed so much I had to check to see if it was the same actor; yes it was, fair enough, I went along with it, people's appearance's change. But what I could not 'buy' was that one of the murderous, drug-dealing criminal trio, (Gabriele Marchilli) suddenly became an assistant police inspector in Season 2! Sorry, just a bridge too far.

Don't miss these top Italian mafia series

[Luigi Di Pilla · 9/10 · 2 November 2019]

I loved these mafia series about the conquest of the Roman coast Ostia by the Mafia. It is one of the best Italian productions I have seen since decades. Very good actors, romance, intriguing stories and nice locations around the eternal city of Rome. But be prepared on very brutal bloody scenes and lot of never ending dirty words. Congratulations to all the actors and the staff. If you like this genre then check out the other series Breaking Bad or Narcos. It deserves a solid 9/10. Don't miss it and watch it in original language with subtitles, you won't regret.

Watch only season 1

[pieraussie · 6/10 · 14 March 2019]

Great season 1, absolutely ridiculous season 2. Watch season 1 but I advise not ruin the fun with season 2, full of unbelievable cliches. It's more a kitsch cartoon than a crime story and you can tell even the actors had no fun in working in it. Season one 9 stars, season two 3 stars for an average of 6. Update on season 3, a complete mess rushed and senseless. Don't get bothered.

Not believable in the least

[gpmunk · 5/10 · 12 December 2020]

The show has a lot of compelling qualities, but come on! the gunfights are cliches of old westerns where the bad guys (everybody who is not Aureliano) can't hit a damn thing, but Aureliano gets five kills per shot. It's pretty stupid, not the least bit believable.

A+++++

[bshaef · 8/10 · 25 February 2019]

For some reason, Netflix is particularly adept in producing Mexican and Italian series. Suburra was just about perfect. I know some of it is not real world but if you suspend belief for a view hours this is a hugely entertaining show. Great actors, good story, Rome scenery is wonderful and the story moves along at a satisfactory clip. Finished season 1 in on Sat and Sun morning and have watched 2 episodes of season 2. Firefox tells me that Netflix is the number 1 site I have visited. It took Yahoo financial's first place spot without a sweat. I think Netflix is on to something good here.

Superb

[rstalbans-2 · 9/10 · 6 December 2017]

Thoroughly enjoyed this series. Between this and Romanza Criminale one feels like we are getting to know the grittier side of a large city without it all being about "just the Mafia".

Enjoyed the acting - even the newbies had a gaucheness that suited their characters.

Please, please, let there be a Season 2.

Even with subtitles it's great entertainment

[cordenw · 9/10 · 2 December 2020]

I finally tuned in out of boredom from the rest of the schlock on offer from Netflix and I made a good decision. The acting is first rate with all involved and the backdrop of Rome and Ostia just adds to the enjoyment ( especially if you've been there)

Great plot lines with corrupt politicians, rival drug gangs, seedy Vatican dealings..... and with that you've got something you can use to build great story lines.

These story lines are very well done and it's a welcome change to see how the Italian filmmakers develop the plots and dig into Rome's completely different culture. In Rome, the Church is still a very powerful influence and the aristocratic system is still thriving. But, they have their immigrant problems, their underclass and their social housing problems and the same difficulties in dealing with the heaving masses who have no future.

Lots of gunfire, lots of cold blooded killing, a little bit of sexual controversy but all done with skill that has you thinking "well they deserved it." Or, "that was well done"

What I particularly like in these European productions is the way they portray 40'ish women. They are invariably super sexy, always immaculately and fashionably dressed (as are the 50ish male leads who give "cool" a new level.)

I also like the way even middle aged men and women travel around on motor scooters ... I wish we could travel that way in Vancouver without the fear of getting mown down. But that's for another discussion

Great series, enjoy yourself watching it! 😉

grand Italian opera....

[hamlet-16 · 9/10 · 24 February 2019]

Suburra is a grand opera. High emotions ... high drama .... corruption ... violence .. and love... love of money ... love of power!

I will be honest I tried watching it a couple of times but only got a few minutes in and gave up but then somehow it hooked me.

The performances of the lead actors are scary, mesmerising and intense but is Giacomo Ferrara as Spandino who stands out.

His character lives with a duality he must hide.

Whereas I found Gomorrah good but predictable Suburra darts off in surprising and unexpected ways keeping the viewer unsure as the sands shift and power ebbs and flows.

S1 takes you on a ride... S2 just ups the pace!

MELODRAMATIC, COMPULSIVE , ITALIAN NONESENSE

[alanl06-662-77020 · 7/10 · 5 April 2020]

More melodrama than drama , with more overacting than you would see in a school play , but , for all that , it is compulsive viewing . Just finished Season 1 and starting Season 2 . Despite the holes in the plot , one of the lead actors having a permanent sneer and another looking like Jonny Lee Millar on speed ( or maybe because of them ) , I couldn't wait to see what happens next . Hope Season 2 is as good . Will probably be fluent in Italian by the end of it . CIAO !!!

I am in bits at the end - no spoilers!

[sue-06239 · 10/10 · 14 December 2020]

Having seen the amazing Gomorrah, I started this saying it can never be as good. Well, we have just watched the final episode and even my husband was affected by it. I don't want to put any spoilers on this review but please - even if you take two or three episodes to get into this - stick with it as it just gets better and better.

The relationship between Aurelio and Spadino is played out so brilliantly through all 3 series. I cannot praise those two actors enough for making us invest in these characters and love them, despite their faults.

It will be a long time before I can forget about this series, and Aurelio in particular, who sadly is young enough to be my son but my feelings for him are far from maternal, shall we say!

Watch this and love it all - you won't regret it! That haunting theme music that comes into most episodes is wonderfully evocative too.

One operation only met in half.

[fabiosciarra-1 · 6/10 · 8 October 2017]

"Suburra: la series" is a mix between the most sophisticated Netflix TV productions and the most cheesy Italian TV series. While cinematography, music and some actors (Filippo Nigri, Claudia Gerini, Francesco Acquaroli overall) are quite impressive, the screenplay and in particular the roles of the three young protagonists seems to be written and sometimes recited with their own feet. One operation only met in half. I have much more appreciated the original movie.

Don't compare this Gommorah at all

[cushioncapitalcorp · 10/10 · 23 March 2021]

I love Gommorah but people are comparing this to it but is completely different. Great acting, action, drama, tragedy, this show is a gem that I've never seen anything like. Just a great show.

Preferred the movie.

[searchanddestroy-1 · 7/10 · 30 October 2020]

I was stunned by the 2015 movie, far more effective for my taste. That doesn't mean that series is not good or clumsy, no. But I think this show was useless, compared to the long length feature, maybe it brings more character development, maybe, after all that's the main purpose of a series, but I did not need it that much. And the ending is flat in the TV show, not better at all than the movie. I'll say more, I see not many things in common between the two. But that's my own opinion. Nothing more, I don't insist to be absolutely right.

Watch this before Gomorrah

[GrandoFernando · 4/10 · 2 March 2019]

Kind of good effort if there wasn't a Gomorrah out there. But there is.....

If I hadn't seen Gomorrah then I may have given this a marginal 7.

But I did

If you have plenty of spare time. Watch this then Gomorrah. If not bypass this (and EVERYTHING else) and go straight to Gomorrah.

Then If you are looking for something "as good" or even close to Gomorrah then just watch Gomorrah again.

Great show, strong season 2

[ridder21 · 10/10 · 23 February 2019]

Netflix did a great job to continue the Rome crime drama for a second season. The story continues where the first season ended and we learn more about the karakters and there motives and hidden agenda's. No spoilers here but if you like italian crime series. You have to watch Suburra.

Not the best, but I was hooked

[jochemunlimited · 8/10 · 13 March 2020]

So I have watched Gomorrah, sorry. Subarra looks like a series that children watch compared to Gomorrah. It has many things that are looking the same, but it still has it's own vibe and there is big difference. It is like the criminal organisation and how it works has less attention and it is more about the politics and that everybody is dirty. It is a bit difficult fo rme to explain.

The story is sometimes cheesy and it is not hard to figure out what will happen. There are things happening that make you think like: huh? That does not make much sense. There are also some weird combinations and some relations are feeling forced.

Sometimes it feels more like a soap and the gangs are not real. Also with Samurai and the people above him. I never get a real sense of urgency. For me there is also not enough character development. But I must say some actors/actresses really play their part well and believable.

So overall it is a bit over the top with the drama and it got it's flaws but is it bad? No, it is a good effort .And I was hooked, I bingewatched it. So that's an extra point. So I have given Gomorrah a 10 so I can give this show an 8. Ohterways I must give Gomorrah a 9 and this show a 7, but that is not enough credit I think. So a solid 8.