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Diabolik
2021 133 min Italy 16+
★6.3
Crime, Mystery
Director: Antonio Manetti, Marco Manetti
💬 Based on the comic
«The Arrest of Diabolik»
byAngela Giussani
Trailers
Description
1960s, the city of Clerville. The forthcoming visit of heiress Eva Kant, who'll be bringing a famous pink diamond with her, catches the attention of Diabolik, the infallible and elusive thief whose real identity is unknown: while trying to steal the jewel, he finds himself bewitched by Eva's charm, a feeling she may be reciprocating. But the police, led by relentless Inspector Ginko, is rapidly closing in on him...
Budget:
$11M
Worldwide:
$3.19M
Starring
Luca Marinelli
Actor
Miriam Leone
Actor
Valerio Mastandrea
Actor
Awards
3 wins & 18 nominations
Key opinion
The 2021 adaptation of Diabolik is a polarizing homage to 1960s Italian comic aesthetics and spy-thriller tropes. While many viewers appreciate the film's dedicated retro style and faithful visual tone, others criticize its lack of narrative momentum, stiff performances, and absence of genuine emotional stakes.
| Production | The production successfully revitalizes 1960s Italian graphic novel aesthetics through elegant set design and a period-authentic soundtrack. | |
| Acting | Luca Marinelli provides a physically convincing portrayal of the titular anti-hero, though his performance is occasionally hampered by coldness that leaves the character feeling detached. | |
| Emotion | The romantic pairing between Diabolik and Eva Kant lacks genuine chemistry, resulting in a connection that feels forced and emotionally hollow. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are deeply divided; some appreciate the deliberate, old-school linear narrative, while others find the film bogged down by stagnant, repetitive, or poorly edited scenes. | |
| Direction | The direction and screenplay are frequently criticized for failing to translate the source material into an engaging cinematic experience, often resulting in illogical plot progression and underdeveloped characters. |