I never thought I could get excited about a show about plague and rich people fighting, but here we are. Netflix’s latest offering, The Decameron, is an irreverent take on Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th-century literary classic and somehow makes it work for modern audiences. Created by Kathleen Jordan, the eight-episode series reimagines the framework of Boccaccio’s work and transforms it into a delightfully bombastic ensemble comedy set against the backdrop of the Black Death.
Inspired by the book, The Decameron‘s premise is simple but effective: as the plague tears through Florence in 1348, a group of nobles and their servants flee to the country villa of the mysterious Visconte Leonardo in an attempt to save themselves. With this simple setup, the series unfolds as you would expect, fueled by wine-fueled debauchery, including scandalous liaisons, fights, suspicions and increasingly desperate attempts at survival as the masks of society begin to fall away, leading to pure chaos.
Unlike the book, this adaptation avoids the 100 stories and instead focuses on the villa and its new inhabitants. While this is a bold choice for those who were desperate to see the book brought to the screen, it gives the show the freedom to explore the many characters and their problems, revealing the many problems with society and the facades we all put on to deal with the people around us. It is a choice that works very well and manages to capture the essence of Boccaccio’s original work while offering a fresh and contemporary perspective on themes of class, privilege and human nature in times of crisis.
“Even with the strong concept and story, the cast truly makes The Decameron shine.”
The Decameron‘s writing strikes a delicate balance between historical setting and modern sensibilities. Unlike some shows that fully embrace the setting and time period while avoiding current influences, The Decameron takes a more contemporary approach to the subject matter. Characters speak in anachronistic slang and use modern expressions, a trend seen in other period comedies such as Dickinson and Our Flag Means Death. While this approach may not appeal to purists, it adds an extra layer of humour and relatability, making the medieval setting more accessible to modern audiences.
Even with the strong concept and story, the cast truly makes The Decameron shine. With such a strong cast, it can be hard to select a few to touch on without going on a tangent, but I have to say Zosia Mamet shines as Pampinea, a wealthy noblewoman who arrives at the villa to marry a man she’s never met. Mamet brings a perfect blend of haughtiness and vulnerability to the role, making Pampinea’s journey from entitled aristocrat to something more complex utterly compelling. By the end, it is hard not to revel in where her story goes, even if it makes some truly twisted turns.
It is also hard not to commend Tony Hale for his performance throughout the series. He steals every scene he’s in as Sirisco, the villa’s harried and semi-competent steward. Hale’s impeccable comic timing and ability to convey mounting exasperation make Sirisco a standout character, providing many of the show’s laugh-out-loud moments. I almost did not recognize him in the role, but he brings his all and manages to transform a character that could have blended into the background into something truly special.
Douggie McMeekin also delivers a unique and often perplexing performance as the hypochondriac nobleman Tindaro, who has one of the most significant arcs in the series. Initially a self-obsessed blowhard, he evolves and comes into his own as the series progresses, becoming someone worth rooting for. Despite remaining ridiculous and causing many groan-worthy moments, Tindaro is a character you want to see succeed despite himself.
With such a strong cast, it is hard to mention everyone without turning this review into 2000 words of call-outs. However, other standout performances include Tanya Reynolds as Licisca, a servant who assumes her mistress’s identity, and Amar Chadha-Patel as Dioneo, a charming doctor who becomes the object of multiple characters’ affections. The entire cast works together seamlessly, creating a believable and entertaining dynamic that keeps viewers invested in the various intertwining storylines.
As the series progresses, it becomes clear that The Decameron is more than just a plague-infested romp. The show intelligently explores concepts of freedom, self-exploration, connection, and the human capacity for both selfishness and solidarity in the face of catastrophe. As the characters’ carefully constructed personas begin to unravel, we see them grappling with existential questions and confronting the harsh realities of their situation and their true place in the world. Much like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the setting serves more as a backdrop to explore complex concepts than as a true, historically accurate portrayal of the time and place.
“The Decameron is a must-watch for fans of historical comedies, ensemble dramas, or anyone looking for a wildly entertaining escape into a world that, for all its differences, feels remarkably familiar.”
Speaking of the time period, the production values of The Decameron are staggering, with the show making excellent use of its Italian filming locations. The interiors of Villa Santa shot at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, are suitably opulent and bring a sense of scale to the show, while on-location filming in the province of Viterbo lends authenticity to the exterior scenes. The costume design strikes a balance between historical accuracy and modern flair, with Pampinea’s being a particularly memorable touch that is both fitting and adds the level of extravagance the character needs.
Even though I enjoyed The Decameron, it is far from perfect. The biggest issue, without question, is the pacing. While it can move very quickly, throwing mountains of exposition and comedy at the viewer over a few minutes, it can also drag at times, wasting time on random things and disrupting the otherwise great storytelling flow. Additionally, there are moments that come out of nowhere and are never fully explained despite having ample time to do so. The show’s reliance on modern humour occasionally threatens to overshadow its more poignant moments, and some viewers might find the tonal shifts jarring.
Even with these issues, The Decameron remains a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking series. It manages to be both a bombastic comedy and a surprisingly nuanced exploration of human nature in crisis. By turns hilarious, touching, and darkly satirical, the show offers a unique take on a literary classic that feels oddly poignant in our current post-pandemic world. The Decameron is a must-watch for fans of historical comedies, ensemble dramas, or anyone looking for a wildly entertaining escape into a world that, for all its differences, feels remarkably familiar.