The remarkably original approach earns Romulus extra points. The Italian Romulus is clearly inspired by historical events. The story is about the origin of Rome. They have gone to great lengths to properly shape the historical feeling. That's how everyone speaks Latin! Despite that approach, Romulus has also been deliberately approached as fantasy. It gives a lot of room to adjust the story the way the creators want. The result is a historical fantasy story that feels largely true to nature. That is also because the television series lacks an abundance of special effects. On the other hand, the stabbing weapons, for example, are quite modern for the time in which the series is set.
Well integrated into the series is the mysticism and (super) belief that will develop further in Rome's heyday. The different kingdoms are influenced by a belief in which the slaughter of animals plays a major role. Mars is the great inspiration in this. Furthermore, an early version of the vestal virgins is active. In the forest, there is a cult around the wolf. A mythical creature that doesn't seem so mythical. However, it holds its power until the end of the series.
In the end, as so often, the story revolves around gaining and keeping power. Fratricide, family betrayal, hatred, violence, but also love are not shunned for this. When the great king of kingdoms is replaced, his brother Amulius (Sergio Romano, La Fuggitiva) commits the greatest sin imaginable. His cunning puts the blame on his cousin Yemos (Andrea Arcangeli, Trust). Yemos goes on the run and encounters the cunning and manipulative Wiros (Francesco Di Napoli) in the woods. An unusual friendship develops between them.
Romulus is a quirky and successful mix of history and fantasy.
Ilia (Marianna Fontana), the daughter of Amulius, is out for revenge. She wants to avenge the misdeed committed in her eyes by Yemos. She goes very far in that. She seeks refuge with the priest of Mars. He is the one who trains her to be a fighting machine. The priest's message is more mystical than Ilia wants to hear at the time. When Ilia sees her chance to take revenge, she goes for it.
Yemos and Wiros end up in the cult of the wolf. They find shelter and allies there in their fight against their opponents. Their methods are rather unorthodox. The cult attacks people on the forest roads. Cannibalism is used, which gives the followers of the wolf a mythical status. It creates fear, but also hate. Hatred that threatens to break up the cult when the mighty forces that have turned against Yemos also turn on them.
They have gone to great lengths to properly shape the historical feeling.
Romulus is a quirky and successful mix of history and fantasy. The strength of the series is that the fantasy part does not produce bloated special effects, but is a subtle addition to the story. The actors are almost all relatively inexperienced. It produces new talent, but also ensures one of the negatives of the series. Sometimes some actors act a bit wooden. That level improves as the series progresses. This series definitely calls for more.
