User Reviews

"Diabolik" is nowhere as bad as people make it out to be: it's certainly flawed (mostly from pacing issues) but it's solid, well-directed and acted, and fairly respectful of the source material. Is this a masterpiece? No. Is this the "rebirth of Italian genre movies"? No, but it's fun and entertaining to watch if you don't expect to go see Citizen Kane.

A note: obviously, Italian press reviews are hating on this movie only because they tried to make something different from the otherwise monotonous theathrical panorama: it's beyond me why every single time someone tries to make a genre movie in Italy, press is always demolishing the effort, there's no surprise the film catalogue isn't evolving much as it should.

To say I had a great Hype for "DIABOLIK" would be an understatement. Truth to be told, it was one of my most expected movies of the year.

Based on the premises, from the directors to the cast, from the settings to the various elements, I was pretty much sure to give my full trust to the whole project.

And I can say that my expectations were satisfied for the most part.

I sincerely can't understand what all those people who bailed this picture as a total failure, both professional critics and general audience, did actually watched.

This movie is veeeeery far from the disaster many declared (seriously, some folks almost put this on the same level as VENOM, what gives?!)

Of course, we're not talking about a perfect movie, but still a pretty decent one, and THAT should not make you think it's worthless.

As an avid reader of the original comic, I can say that for the most part its atmosphere was totally respected. Maybe a bit more, because one problem many will have is about the style.

The directors voluntarily reproduced the narrative and technical style of a '60s movie, and this won't suit well with modern audiences. But is it really a major flaw? I don't think so.

To prove my point, I'll say that I watched the movie with a friend who doesn't know ANYTHING about the original comics, or about those kind of movies ... and yet, he was never bored and truly enjoyed the picture.

There are several benefits, starting with the two protagonists, an always diligent Luca Marinelli as the dark thief, and a simply stunning Miriam Leone that shows both the incredible beauty and the solid competence of Eva Kant, way more than a mere "femme fatale".

And the technical side, from the cinematography to the production design, serves perfectly to put the audience in that period.

But still, there are some big flaws, like the way certain plot points are solved, and the most important, at least for me: Valerio Mastandrea is just not credible as Ginko, or as a policeman in general, like my friend said. Luckily he appears for the right time, without resulting too invasive in the plot, but still plays a very important role that he can't just give enough justice (quite ironically XD)

But all in all, THIS IS NOT A DISATER, but a pretty decent experiment that deserves a chance, and maybe a bit more of mental opening from audiences. Really, I assure you that it won't be a waste of time.

Long Live Giussani Sisters, and long live Diabolik!

Amoral thief Diabolik is planning to steal a pink diamond from the wealthy Lady Eva Kant. An expanded adaptation of the third issue of the comic (L'arresto di Diabolik, 1963), where Kant's character is introduced.

The movie, set in "the late 1960s" in the fictional Clerville, is crafted like an Italian giallo of the time. Aside from the attention to scenography and costumes this stylistic choice is clear in cinematography, the use of editing, and the screenplay. The pace is much slower that what you would be used to in an action movie or thriller today, giving more of a vague vintage 'mystery' vibe, and sometimes relying too much on exposition. None of the camp of Mario Bava's "Danger: Diabolik", however: this is still a movie that takes itself seriously.

The main actors have good chemistry, with Eva Kant emerging as the real protagonist of the movie, but the cold and detached portrayal of the title character isn't inspiring and the actors beyond the main trio are forgettable.

Overall a charming and well-made work, although the style may not go well with all audiences.

As a lover of the original comics (I still have the first 690 numbers), I would say that this is a nice movie. The scenography, the locations, the actors, all have a good "noir" style. Whoever is expecting a more fast rhytm of the action and more special effects doesn't understand that this is an entire recostruction of a paper comics, of the 60s, and it seems that the movie itself has been filmed and produced in those years... We realize this when we see the plastic door of the refuge of Diabolik, the masks, and other details which seem rough and simple, when cinematography didn't have yet the CGI or advanced special effects. Then with a slow rhytm action our attention is more focused on the particulars of the scenes, the characters, the single details, as well as we do when we see the designs on paper. Genious. Ginko character vote 3 (actor Mastandrea is not as pretty as the paper character and has a wrong Roman accent..), Diabolik Marinelli vote 7 (just ok, and with the same eyes and height of the original character :), Eva Kant 10 perfect! (The beauty and the charm by Miriam Leone). Ok to find some defects in the movie, but the lovers of the comics will enjoy watching it.

I know about "Diabolik" as a character from a comic book, though I actually never read it. So as I sat down to watch this 2021 Italian movie from directors Antonio Manetti and Marco Manetti, I didn't really know what to expect.

Writers Antonio Manetti, Marco Manetti, Michelangelo La Neve and Mario Gomboli put together an entertaining storyline and script for the movie. Sure, it was a pretty straight forward crime heist mystery, but there was still something that worked about it. Perhaps it was a mixture of the storyline and character gallery.

With my very limited exposure to the Italian cinema, then I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble at all. But they definitely had some good talents on the cast list, especially the leading actors Luca Marinelli (playing Diabolik) and Valerio Mastandrea (playing Ginko), as well as leading actress Miriam Leone (playing Lady Kant).

There is a good amount of mystery, action and character development throughout the course of the 133 minutes that the movie ran for. And I will say that I didn't find a single dull moment throughout the runtime of the movie. So thumbs up to directors Antonio Manetti and Marco Manetti on that accomplishment.

Visually then "Diabolik" was good. It wasn't a movie that made use of a whole lot of CGI. But the effects in the movie worked well in favor of the overall movie. And the wardrobe department definitely also did a good jobs.

If you haven't seen "Diabolik" yet, and enjoy a heist movie laced with mystery elements, then give this 2021 Italian movie a chance.

My rating of "Diabolik" lands on a six out of ten stars.

It is an entertaining movie.

The soundtrack is beautiful.

It is clear that they put a lot of effort to crete the 60s vibe with a lot of liminal spaces.

You have all the tropes in it: the sensual woman, the attractive and skilled villain and the determined detective.

I think that the masks part was an inspiration from "Fantômas".

I had mixed fellings about how should I feel about a movie that glorifies crooks and killers but now I'm sure, I hate it because even if some of people killed haven't been clean they haven't been dirty enough to justify a killing and most of them have been regular people anyway.

This is a '60 movie for the "modern" audiences where the bad must be presented as good.

The story take up in a precise and detailed way number 3 volume of Diabolik.

The actors are perfectly portrayed, the choice of the two main characters is right, even if Diabolik appears very detached, a little less so Ginko, his movements are right but a little too Roman accent.

Even if the story tells about the first meeting and the union of the protagonists, the film gives more importance to the figure of Eva and less to Diabolik.

Direction promoted only in the second part of the film, soundtrack no!

Questionable screenplay.

2 hours are too many and the first half hour is too slow.

Vote 6,5.

For people like me that grew up reading the comics, it's so sad to see the bad portrayal of the characters we loved, the only one that looks something like the original is Miriam Leone, Mastandrea's wig is a laugh and he's not at all believable as Ginko, that was a good looking tough cop, the story telling is also awful and goofy.

As a huge fan of the character, and having felt let down by the 1968 cartoonish effort to bring Diabolik to screen, I was really pumped to learn that this film was being made and had great expectations for it.

Well...

Truth is that I sat in horror during the entire first act as I could not believe the absolutely incompetent direction, writing and acting displayed on screen. The Manetti brothers should stick to TV films and soap operas as they are clearly not cut for this genre.

But hey what do I know? They are already working on the second and third installments lol.

I want to mention that when Claudia Gerini entered the screen, for a moment I forgot that I was watching a mediocre school play. I wish she was in for more. I also really felt that Marinelli, although he did a decent job, was wrongly cast as Diabolik as he does not have the phisique du role. Same for Leone, which beauty and hair pulled up are not enough to make her a believable Eva Kent. Music score was generic and did not help propel the story.

Although I was hoping for the contrary, Diabolik 2022 doesn't stand a chance against the many international titles out there in the same genre, and as a first installment of what it appears to become a trilogy, unfortunately it is not really promising.

Surely we are faced with a film with several defects, especially in the final part where the script goes too far and the photography is perhaps too like a TV movie, but the film is still fun and entertaining and has a nice retro 60's taste, the cast good expecially beautiful and talented Miriam Leone as Eva Kant, also excellent Mastandrea as Ginkgo, Marinelli, who was very good in They call me Jeeg, in this film he struggles a bit but still gives an appreciable performance as Diabolik. In conclusion a nice film but nothing more. My rating is 6/10.

Lento, noioso, scritto male, recitato peggio, effetti speciali da batman telefilm 1980.

Avevo delle buone aspettative ma sapendo della produzione italiana ero anche titubante.

Raramente ho visto una tal porcata così tanto esaltata da media, radio, tv e mainstream a edicole unificate.

E pensare che ho pure pagato per vederlo a noleggio.

As you probably know, Diabolik was a successful comic book in Italy in the 70s. It celebrated a fascinating (albeit ruthless) criminal, whose passioned love for his beautiful partner (Eva Kant) redeemed himself in the eye of its affectionate readers.

Written by two sisters, was particularly popular amongst women who (I guess) enjoyed the romantic aspects, together with the prowess and the good look of the man.

The present title nicely recreates those times and that particular atmosphere, where Italian people and locations were renamed in order to make them sound 'Englishish'. And the love between the two main characters is perfectly conveyed, as well as the mutual respect among the two main adversaries: Ginko and Diabolik.

Actors play the part very, very well. Which was not easy because the original characters were quite monodimensional and naive... personally I would not pay too much attention to the negative reviews and (especially if you liked the comic book) I would give it a try.

Enjoy.

Two charming starring , Luca Marinelli and Miriam Leone , star this nice and enjoyable movie set in a nameless European nation . Dealing with popular hero from famous comic books who previously performed John Phillip Law and Marisa Mell . Adaptation of the Noir comic book of the sixties by the Giussani brothers , concerning the world's deadliest and most dazzlingly robber , he evades the law while performing his criminal antics , as the eludes the police by disguising , changing cars , hot pursuits , and masking himself . Along the way , Diabolik uses his extraordinary powers to foil criminals and steal billions from the government . As the anti-hero of the film , Diabolik must face off botcher law enforcements . The film is a thriller with a markedly retro aesthetic that emulates the psychedelic adaptation to the big screen carried out by Mario Bava : Danger Diabolik (1968) . On this occasion the elusive , implacable thief with a thousand disguises , Diabolik (Luca Marinelli) , whose true identity no one knows , returns to drive his iconic Jaguar E-type to strike a new coup : seize the famous pink diamond, a priceless piece carried by the rich and enigmatic heiress Eva Kant (Miriam Leone) . Meanwhile , Inspector Ginco (Valerio Mastandrea) takes every precaution to ensure that the robbing don't take place at the local bank . He robs from the rich to give to the girls !. Meet Diabolik. Slick. Suave. Gentle. Brutal. Wild. Out for all he can take, seduce, or get away with...!

Agreeable and brilliant rendition , not taking any situation seriously ; being based on famous strip-cartoon thriller titled "Diabolik", one of the longest running - and most successful - Italian comic strips , known as "fumetti" drew by Angela Giussani and Luciana Giussani . This very campy picture contains thrills , action , phantasmagoria , psychedelia , pop art , tongue-in-cheek , absurd situations , and being competently developed , including split screen . Fantastic production design and art design influenced by the original comic books and James Bond movies , showing splendidly the breathtaking settings at a remote cave in a mountain and others . Through a retro aesthetic , this new reboot introduces the viewer into a tense and cold atmosphere that has the best ingredients of Noir cinema : impassive femme fatales , twisted criminals , a staging full of shadows and a police investigation determined to unmask to this relentless thief . Here Luca Marinelli and Miriam Leone replace John Philip Law and Marisa Mell but they do not reach those iconic figures resulting in being an inferior and overlong film compared to Mario Bava's classic . Diabolik (2021) won the 2022 David Di Donatello Award for Best Original Song : La profondita degli abiss and was nominated for 11 more statuettes, including a Best Lead Actress nomination for gorgeous Miriam Leone.

The main and support cast -with everyone having fun- are frankly good . Luca Marinelli is fine in the title character as the masked career thief known only as Diabolik , who eludes his official pursuers with his mistress and partner-in-crime . Bombshell Miriam Leone as wonderful colleague is ideal actress to her role , she shines and expands her beauty and extreme sexuality . The best of the interpretations result to be Valerio Mastandrea as stubborn police inspector who's usually duped and Claudia Gerini as Signora Morel . It contains lively and catching original music score by Aldo De Scalzi . As well as glimmer and glamorous cinematography by Francesca Ametrano . The motion picture was decently directed by Antonio Manetti, Marco Manetti who have made a sequel titled Diabolik - Ginko all'attacco! (2022) with Giacomo Gianniotti as Diabolik , Miriam Leone , Eva Kant , Valerio Mastandrea as Ispettore Ginko and Monica Bellucci. The picture will appeal to thriller genre buffs . Rating 6.5/10.

Scrivo la recensione in italiano, essendo io italiano ed essendo il prodotto 100% italiano... e, purtroppo, si vede!!! CHE DISASTRO!!! Fanno sembrare un cane perfino Mastandrea. Inoltre, ma i tecnici delle luci e i fonici sono stati assunti per lavorare a questo scialbo prodotto, o hanno preso degli stagisti appena usciti dal DAMS? Questi due registi, già conosciuti per le loro patetiche stupidate, vendute come genialate, qua hanno raschiato il fondo. Non entro nel tema prettamente del fumetto, che conosco onestamente poco e male, ma parlo di CINEMA... qua di CINEMA non c'è nulla, il lavoro svolto per produrre questo scempio è di uno Sceneggiato TV o, peggio, una Telenovela di prima serata RAI. La recitazione? Direi che siamo al puro classico René Ferretti (Boris), che cito: "CAGNA!!! CAGNA MALEDETTA!!!", ma estenderei all'intero cast: "CANI!!! CANI MALEDETTI!!!". 3 giusto perchè, in fondo, si sono pure impegnati per produrre questa schifezza e, in fondo, Mastandrea comunque è l'unico a salvarsi!!!

Judging by the current rating and having read a few reviews harshly criticizing the direction, writing, casting and acting in this movie, I went in expecting it to be very bad.

Having the bar set this low actually helped me to have a pleasant surprise and frankly quite enjoyable experience. It's definitely not a great movie per se, but rather a competent genre exploration. It has its goofy charm in a very straightforward serious tone, theatrical mannerisms in acting, the way the main plot points are almost always narrated out loud by characters after being shown on screen, it all evokes this cozy feeling of watching a fun exploitation film.

Cinematography is on point, soundtrack is never annoying even though it's not very memorable, and the flow and pacing is quite nice for a 2+ hour long picture. All in all, this is a very solid reboot of a franchise.

Months to wait and the overall quality is so poor, especually the script, the.acting and all these pauses that become boring after the first 20 minutes of the movie.

The two starring actor and actress are worth noticing.

The overall noir stage is kept throught the film's scenes.

The on-site locations look robust, authentic, old-school way. No scam, no hustle, no nervous hoopla.

The cinematography and just overall attention to detail really drove this Italian Noire film to be a great experience. The storyline grew more complex as time passed and culminated in some good surprises at the end. The Directing made this a real tribute to Italian cinema and Italian culture at its best. This movie made me want to jump on the next flight to Italy and just soak it in all that much more the feeling that I left the auditorium with on this one. Not a detail was ignored as this was written, filmed and edited. Take it easy on the espresso before seeing this as you will want to take this in at a pace of sipping on a nice limoncello!!

As a fan of the comic books, i was thoroughly disappointed. Kept looking at my watch throughout the film. Obviously no comment on the storyline which isn't the issue. I just thought the acting was absolutely terrible. B-movie level acting. Mastrandrea was the only one appropriately representing his role. Also, choice of actors questionable in my view. That actor is not Diabolik. Very personal comment of course, but just no, the guy gives me no relevant vibes. Even Miriam Leone, bad bad acting. I've seen her in many films, she's good. But not in this film.

I do not recommend. If you're really a big fan of Diabolik and want to watch this film, wait til it comes out on streaming or whatever.

I appreciate this movie greatly: the cinematography is superb, the setting inspired to the '60 is really well-made and immersive, the direction is clear and want to pay tribute to the comics books as much as possible. The rythm is slow but functional to the story the directors wanted to tell. The actors' performances are generally very good, with Miriam Leone's Eva Kant as the strongest performance of the movie (a 10 to 10) and Marinelli's as the weakest (a merely 6 to 10 in my opinion. His performance is ok but nothing more) and Ginko's Mastandrea is very good too (an 8 to 10). In conclusion a must-seen movie in my opinion different from Marvel's blockbusters.

Michael Jackson would know - I mean no pun intended of course. First things first: neither have I seen the Mario Bava movie (60s I believe) nor have I read the source material. So no idea how this fares to either of those. I did watch the direct sequel though (part 2, part 3 was not out at the time of writing in Germany).

Even without seeing that there is a Bava movie, I would have said this feels like a throwback. In many senses - the main female character may be a bit more "modern", but almost everything in the movie has a 60s vibe to it. And I am not just talking about the time/era this plays in ... we do get to see a partial nude behind ... not sure that was something that movies did back in the 60s ... but let's not get hung up on ... well "butts". Again no pun intended as always.

The main character (see title) is quite the interesting anti hero. He is anything but a good guy ... and yet we may find ourselves rooting for him. There is a big twist that does not make much sense - (non existing) dialog wise, but if you suspend your disbelief you will have fun with the movie ... and its roller coaster ride!

What a weird movie. Our "hero" was a serial murderer, and clearly a domestic abuser. Whoever made this think had a strange moral compass.

The acting was ok, and visually the movie look nice. But the plot is mighty generic. I'm not sure if the point was not actually to be some sort of a spoof comedy. I was expecting Austin Powers to jump out at any moment. Alas he's not in the movie, so the only comedy comes from a few absurd moments. It made me laugh out loud when the guy was telling the new girl that he's not a man who leaves women, just after he was telling her he's going to leave his wife for her.

With the trend of rebooting old classics, whether it's with cars with the mini and the Fiat 500, TV shows with Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who, it was only a matter of time before someone would add a new take to one of the most popular fiumetti of all times. While this adaptation is not without charm, it's surprising the Manettis chose not to dust it off a little; it is set in the same timeframe as the original Bava movie, which makes it easy to compare and that's not always in favor of the new version. I loved Bava's absolutely ludicrous, impossible secret lairs, larger than life plots and situations. It was silly, but in keeping with the comic.

While this new installment still has a ridiculous plot (I would have been disappointed if it hadn't) it's somehow holding back as if trying to make it believable.

Miriam Leone is outstanding, Luca Marinelli pulls off the emotionless Diabolik without breaking a sweat, photography is superb, an entertaining movie if you grew up reading the silly Italian comics, but probably a WTF movie if you didn't... To be honest I would have loved a reboot in modern Italy with maybe Diabolik and Eva's son taking over the family business, more gadgets, more action, more craziness. That doesn't make this movie any less enjoyable.