Romulus (2020– ) User Reviews

Slow start but eventually becomes quite an immersive and enjoyable experience.

[blaizenornude · 8/10 · 6 December 2020]

First off, you can't imagine how pleased i was to find out this was not a Netflix production. Another complete desecration of culture and history was averted. Secondly, if you have the attention span of a bird and not really interested in mythology or history then you're better off watching the awful "Barbarians" on Netflix. Some people seem to complain about the low budget on this production, however this show holds up better than most cash laden soulless US productions. It's very unique, immersive and has charm.

The show is based on Roman mythology and the period preceding the foundation of Rome or "Ruma" around the 8th century BC. So don't expect to see Roman legions or the Colosseum. It's a different approach to the mythological story of Remus and Romulus, the founders of Ancient Rome.

It was interesting to see an Italian production tackle its own history/mythology. You need to give it an episode or two before you get invested in the story but it eventually pays off. The quality of the acting, the visuals, the use of old latin, the gritty and ominous tone all combine to immerse you in an archaic time most of us know very little about. The story is based on a myth but never delves into the supernatural. There is no magic and the old roman gods never reveal themselves on screen but are interpreted by the main characters through dreams, which kind of grounds the story.

I regret they did not show more day to day life aspects of that period and the last episode was a little anti-climactic but it seems like there will be a second season so i hope to change my rating to an 8 or 9 in future. Not as good as Rome, different of course but overall better than most garbage on TV at the moment. Well done Italy.

Seems very promising....

[theromanempire-1 · 7/10 · 7 November 2020]

Having watched first two episodes.....(there are 8 more to come) I have to say I was hooked by this series which were a surprise to me as they were serious about re-telling the legend of the twins in a different light thru the eyes of three different people who lived in that era. the acting was good and serious and u get action scenes and the story before the twins are born. we get to see at first how ammulius becomes the king and tries to kill the sons of his blinded brother and former king of alba longa. there are also some naked beautiful sex scenes and beautiful women too in the mix. we only have two episodes but I think the rest will follow the story in the same captivating way. at some point ilia (rhea) the daughter of the former king will give birth to the twins and from there we will go on...... if u are a fan of ancient rome's history - mythology then u should watch this series which are ages better than the atrocious and boring "Britanica" tv series. on the plus is that even the audio is not in English nor in Italian BUT in archaic latin so to be more...realistic.

For starters I give this a grade between B- and B (7,5) and i'm excited for next week's episodes 3 and 4. there are two episodes each week. as it seems this is a worthy series about the twins so check it out.

Very Underrated

[mlynch5187 · 8/10 · 26 July 2021]

The use of archaic Latin, the way the story arc comes around full circle in 10 episodes, it's all really well done. They even went out of their way to include the naming of actual and mythological early Latin and Etruscan cities and regions like Gabii and Veii, and they kept the story within the context of Romulus & Remus' foundation legend. I admit it started out a bit slow but really picks up quickly, and things come together in an unexpected way. I am not sure what show people were watching to give this a 6.7 rating. I was ambivalent to watch this due to the rating, but I am glad I listened to the positive reviews and gave this a shot. Romulus is certainly better than something like "Vikings" which is rated much better. For any history-lover Romulus is a must-watch.

Why such low rating?!

[nataliabstanko · 9/10 · 12 November 2020]

I'm honestly baffled. The show is masterfully done. The costumes, colors, cinematography, action sequences - everything is top notch. They even speak archaic latin!!! Acting is stellar, and the story is compelling - I was surprised a couple of times by the story going totally against clichés and being genuinely captivating, which is less and less common nowadays. I have no idea what's going to happen next (apart from the founding of Rome, obviously - but at this moment of a story, it's impossible to tell how exactly it'll unfold, which is great). I love it, and I appreciate an extremely hard work that must have gone into creating the series. Huge congratulations to all involved, the show is simply spectacular!! I'm hooked, I'll be watching and keeping my fingers crossed for season 2. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it, you won't be disappointed.

a great series

[Kirpianuscus · 3 February 2021]

Yes, I admit, for me it is one of the best series from the last decade. I am subjective, off course. But Romulus is just brilliant. For the wise use of the bricks of legends and myths. For the courage ad full virtue to use archaic Latin , giving high credibility to storytelling nd seducing generations of people for who this language represents a part of life and memories. For impecable acting - and I remind, again and again, the admirable job of Francesco Di Napoli and Marianna Fontana. Not the last for the escape from the circle of cliches. No doubts, a great series.

A brave endeavour from the producers, bravo !

[valentinmh · 7/10 · 9 December 2020]

This series, for me, was not about cinematic production...It was all about the language (supposedly reconstructed proto-latin/etruscan(. I can speak few Romance languages, and have some knowledge of Ancient Greek and Sanskrit, little Persian also. What was very appealing to me, watching this with digging into the spoken lines, was the reconfirmation of an common Indo-European ancestry & culture that we (almost all) Europeans share ! Pax voviscum !

Brilliant Production - Refreshing and Entertaining.

[silversundance · 10/10 · 6 December 2020]

This is an excellent series. I have just watched all the episodes and have to say, it is the best historical series TV has seen for a long time.

I will list some of the positives for this show:

1 - The language is Latin ! The producers actually went to the effort of bringing in experts to teach the entire cast the correct pronunciation of the words etc ! That is some dedication !

2 - The story of Romulus and Remus is fictional yet ingrained n the history of Rome. So it allows a lot of freedom with the storyline as it is a ledged, not historical fact. As such the series could explore many angles without leaving you puzzled as to whether they are altering a historical timeline for dramatic effect.

3 - It doesn't hold back. Like Game of Thrones, there is blood and sex, but it is not as gratuitous as Game of Thrones. It actually fits into the storyline. Their is mud, mess and blood. It actually looks and feels as though you are in historic Italy, rather than on a Hollywood set or seeing a Hollywood ideal of history (where everyone is in full makeup etc).

4 - It has action and intrigue. It isn't predictable. You don't know who is going to die when, or how. You are not sure how the storyline will play out until you get there. I can get very easily bored with a lot of movies and programmes - but this kept me focussed throughput !

5 - It is just good TV !

A bit of fun

[CtlAltDel · 6/10 · 1 March 2021]

People giving this show 10 stars are just being silly. I mean, seriously? By giving it a perfect score are you really saying it's the greatest TV series that's ever been made?? C'mon.

ROMULUS is a fantasy idea of the creation of Rome. It's a whole lotta fun. The first episode was a bit ridiculous and I almost stopped watching but then I got more involved and started to care for the characters. It's beautifully filmed and generally well-acted. The unfolding story is pretty slow in parts which annoys. But in the end it was enjoyable enough.

There really is little need for a second season IMHO.

It's a really honest and good series

[holmkestler · 9/10 · 25 November 2020]

It is untraditional in a bold way, beautifully filmed, good acting. Costumes, scenography and nature play well together. Teeth and fingernails are yellow and black. It's raw and not very pretty, but at the time I think life was too. Please continue the good work, I would rather follow Romulus than so much else. I really hope there comes a season 2!!!

A suprising discovery

[Giuseppe-Romano-1960 · 6/10 · 15 November 2020]

Reading the episode titles, we have the following sentence: «Tu Regere Imperio Populos Memento Romane Parcere Subiectis Debellare Superbos» Which translated means: «Remember that the rule for the dominion of Rome is to spare the peoples who submit and annihilate the proud ones».

But, of course, it's always possible that I may be wrong.

Good quality Tv. Well done. Gripping season one...but season two is

[ragnarhannes · 3/10 · 7 December 2020]

Season two is no way like season one...no good plot........season one had a Great depiction of story all in the West have grown up with. Not often told, the origin of Rome.

Season two is like general hospital soap. Low production value, story not there. Props bad, plastic all over the place.

Everything I wanted Vikings to be

[astampe · 9/10 · 23 December 2020]

Were should I start? They speak old Latin, not English or Italian. It's based more on history than myth, despite the name. Throughout the story you are given little bits and pieces to help understand the origin of the myth. There's no magic stuff. Things that happen might be interpreted by the characters as divine or as a sign from the gods but aren't really. And as some critical reviews have stated, the story is a bit "shallow", or rather not filled with uninteresting love affairs and other Hollywood-esce side stories. It's straight to the point. Oh, and I almost forgot, the acting is great. No over acting what so ever.

Not bad, but too slow, not my taste

[jasper-87513 · 6/10 · 3 August 2022]

Really hoped to see the story of the beginning of Rome. The stories of the legends AFTER the city was founded.

This is an alternative prequel to that and to me that was disappointing.

Not saying the series is bad, just not what I wanted.

So slow and wrong.

[gripennl · 4/10 · 29 December 2022]

Historical fiction and fiction it is. Speculative, some random historical facts, a lot of silly religious stuff. And the absolutely worst of all is that the romans invented stirrups. About 1200 years before they were introduced in Europe. My g.d, please get that right for one time.

Roman symbols as the standards and banners for the armies of the italic tribes, steel swords in the bronze age, no mention of Etruscans, Greeks, fenicians and other peoples that roamed Italy and the Mediterranean sea. It could have been a lot better if historical context was taken into account. Oh, have I mentioned the music? Absolutely horrible pop songs.

We need more Bronze Age to series

[joostice · 9/10 · 10 November 2020]

The fact alone that this entire show is in Latin is impressive, and that it don't slide into an overtly cheesy flow, like so many other historical shows, is also great.

I have no idea why so many people gave it a low rating. But people as a whole are stupid (the list of garbage shows with high viewer ratings is long), and often motivated to give their impression of shows from bias, and expectations that are silly.

So far I like the show a lot, ITunes needs to acquire it so I can give them money.

Nutty ratings system THIS IS EXCELLENT

[fashinrashin · 9/10 · 1 December 2020]

Superb production values, the acting is tremendous, (especially Wiros and Yemos and Ilia), Each episode is thrilling. A fully realized world with wonder, myth and excitement. I especially like the attention to details on the multiple gods and religions, and how it played such a strong role in everyday life.. The Numi are fascinating and fierce, no wonder Rome became dominant with their blood coursing through the early empire. This show is magnificent, and to top it off MOKADELIC does the music and they can do no wrong.....(see Gomorrah the series for their music) Keep it up Italy you beat Hollywood at their own game with this series and Gomorrah.

Not sure whats going on with the voting right now...

[simpon2008 · 9/10 · 29 November 2020]

This series is actually really good. Its thrilling in each episode. I didnt have a single dull moment in this series. It really captures the feeling of living in the early stages of man setting up communitys in the northen italy. Historians cant tell us that much about this sertain period in history, the story about romulus and remus is an exciting myth and I really must give creeds to the person who wrote this series. I really love the angle they spinn the story from.

Actors are preforming great. The only downside is the fact that you can tell the spending on this series didnt get the full attention it should have. Dont get me wrong. Its well filmed and produced from the budget I asume they used, who was probably in the lower limit. This series deserved alot more attention and unfortunatly I belive it gets brushed away by the fact that they talk italian, and not english. Which in my eyes is just sad. I really hope we get to see a season 2 but i doubt it since it doesnt really seem to hit the wider audience.

Good job on this series. I loved it. I hope I get to see more in the future.

Fantasy as history

[paulrbirty · 4/10 · 2 December 2020]

Got to episode 7 and it felt like a miss-match of Fern Gully, Shannara and Children of the forest. It started with promise and basically went down hill quickly.

this is something good. verry good.

[valentinionut · 10/10 · 14 November 2020]

The king of 30 tribes in pre roman times, around 800 b.c. fails to deliver, to do his hieratic job since the rain stopped and the people suffer from the drought. Priest ask the gods and the reading is that he must be exiled. The punishment means he also must be blinded by his two sons. The sons deliver the punishment but pushed by the kings brother and their uncle. Soon, the uncle turns from his kind and tries to murder them both. Impaled by a bronze sword, obe of the brothers dies on spot but the other brother runs and escapes them by hidding in the deep forests that coverd much of Europe at the time. The dead brother had a love affair with a vestal, a young priestes, unknown to the tribe. She griefs and puts out the eternal fire and is sentenced to die burried alive in a cave from were she will emerge almost maddened. In the forest, the living brother is captured and joins a group of men living there for half a year because of a initiation ritual. This must have been produced with serious historical research. Its a must see. Low rating will do another injustice to another tv show that is verry good, verry enterteining.

Disappointing.

[celticpunter · 3/10 · 6 December 2020]

I'm not sure what experience or taste a lot of the reviewers have in series but I fail to see why anyone could recommend this. It's a thin storyline which has not the luxury of falling back on quality acting to save it. A lot of talking and not much else, obviously the writers were trying to paint some sort of detailed character landscape, it sadly, fails quite miserably. Don't waste time on it.

Very high quality! Wow!!

[magnepet · 10/10 · 30 November 2020]

One of the best historical dramas I've ever seen. The tempo is sometimes a bit slow so I understand why some people don't like it. But if you are into history and quality non Hollywood drama you will love it. It's beautiful, poetic and more historically accurate then anything you'll find in this genre (despite the futhark type in the title).

Beautiful Historic Series

[qixip · 9/10 · 9 November 2020]

One of the best ever historic series that Italy ever made. It has beautiful and convincing production, atmosphere and acting this show also does not fall into trap of distancing from sexuality and nudity unlike recently made American shows.

Great Tv Show

[zivottijebem · 10/10 · 29 November 2020]

I like this tv show a lot, good acting, good story, incredible representation of bronzen age europe. Maybe more patriarchal aspect would be more accurate, but its good anyways. Superstition among those people play huge role, which I consider to be historicaly accurate.

Why does a show in archaic Latin use Elder Futhark for the title?

[ashtrek-98712 · 2/10 · 22 November 2020]

From the opening theme to silly, mud-caked barbarians this is just another bad low fantasy show. None of the disparate elements fit together and even the worst history student knows everything happening is wrong and grossly out of place. This is supposed to take place in the 8th century BCE but what I saw was practically a neolithic society. Whoever wrote this farce needs to read up on the Etruscans.

The Old Days

[chainsawii · 10/10 · 2 December 2020]

This show needs more love, it gives such a great view on how people where and how they believed in things, its might not be accurate but imho it's pretty good on target, it was just a simpeler way of doing things, also great acting and nice characters and atmosphere!