Our take
Coming fresh off the heels of shows like My Lady Jane and The Great, The Decameron already feels familiar, if somewhat predictable, in its attempt to be irreverent and anachronistic. It’s funny, at first, and a delight to look at—the sharp medieval gowns and raw Italian forests feel refreshing when soft pastel costumes and refined palaces are usually the norm in these types of shows. But it also feels overlong and uneven. The cast is stacked, both by new faces and comedy veterans, but the latter easily steal the show. Tony Hale (Veep), Zosia Mamet (Girls), and Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls) carry scenes on their backs, and I find myself waiting for the story to return to them to retain an inkling of interest.
What it won
Berlin
1 win
The story
As the bubonic plague spreads through Italy, a group of nobles and servants retreats to a villa, where their lavish getaway quickly spirals into chaos.
Elsewhere
"While The Decameron may not reach the heights of Mike White’s contingency plan turned HBO crown jewel [The White Lotus], the series is a tartly funny showcase for a uniformly excellent ensemble."
— Alison Herman
Based on the 14th-century book of the same name, the series chronicles the lives of upper-class Italians escaping the bubonic plague and finding refuge (or so they think) in a countryside villa.
Mamet and Jackson are easily the funniest duo in this crowded group. More of them please!
It’s loads of fun! But there’s not enough substance to ground it into something truly memorable.
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
