Gomorrah premiered in 2014 and remains one of the most brutal crime dramas ever put on television. Based on Roberto Saviano’s book about Naples’ Camorra mafia, it follows five separate stories across the city’s criminal underworld. The show is not for the faint of heart. It is bloody, often grotesque, and uninterested in moral comfort. It is also, in its best stretches, utterly compelling.
The series is built on parallel narratives, each following a different character in the criminal world. One storyline centers on a young man trying to escape the family business. Another follows a drug dealer who wants to get out but cannot. A third follows a police officer investigating the syndicate. A fourth follows a corrupt businessman. And a fifth follows a young boy being groomed for the life. These threads rarely intersect directly, but they all move through the same broken world.
Trailer, via Nordic Noir & Beyond.
The Five Storylines
The show’s structure is deliberate. By splitting the narrative, Gomorrah avoids the single hero dynamic common to crime dramas. Instead, it presents the Camorra as a system, not a villain. That shift changes how the audience reads the violence. When a character dies, it is not a plot twist. It is a function of the world they inhabit.
| Storyline | Main Character | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Street Dealers | Ciro | Drugs, survival, escape |
| Family Business | Genny | Money, power, betrayal |
| Police Officer | Detective Simone | Investigation, corruption |
| Corrupt Businessman | Maurizio | Legal cover, double life |
| Young Boy | Nicola | Initiation, innocence |
Each character represents a different entry point into the criminal economy. Together, they paint a picture of a society where legality is a thin veneer.
Style and Violence
Gomorrah is shot with a documentary-style realism. Long takes, handheld cameras, and a muted color palette make the violence feel immediate. The show does not stage its brutality for effect. It shows it, often in full detail. A scene of a man being beaten in a basement is not a moment of tension. It is a statement about what happens to those who refuse to play by the rules.
The acting across the board is strong. Marco D’Amore as Ciro delivers a performance that shifts from desperation to resolve. Salvatore Cascio as Genny plays a man trapped in his own ambition. Gianfelice Iannuzzi as Detective Simone brings a weary intelligence to his role. Each actor carries their story without leaning on melodrama.
The show also knows when to slow down. Some episodes spend entire scenes on quiet conversation between characters. These moments let the threat simmer beneath the surface. The tension is not just physical. It is social, psychological, and familial.
Naples as Character
The city itself functions as a character. The show moves through slums, luxury hotels, construction sites, and government offices. Each location tells a story about the relationship between power and poverty. The contrast is stark. In one scene, a drug dealer walks through a housing project while a wealthy politician drives past in a luxury car. The show does not explain this gap. It simply shows it.
The show also captures the rhythms of daily life in the city. There are scenes of families eating dinner, children playing, and workers building. These moments humanize the characters even as the show prepares to show their violent ends. It is a difficult balance to strike, and Gomorrah mostly pulls it off.
Weaknesses
Not every episode lands. Some of the storylines drag, particularly those involving the businessman and the detective. Their arcs are less immediate than the street dealers’ and the young boy’s. The show also occasionally leans on shock value for its own sake. A few scenes of extreme violence feel more like spectacle than storytelling.
The pacing can also be uneven. The show runs long, and some episodes feel padded. The final season, in particular, stretches out its conclusion far beyond what the material demands. This is a minor complaint, but it is one that will frustrate viewers who want the show to end cleanly.
Legacy
Gomorrah has a lasting influence on the crime drama genre. Its approach to organized crime as a social system rather than a collection of villains was notable when it aired. That legacy is real, and it is visible in almost every modern crime series that follows.
The show also had a real-world impact. After its premiere, the Italian government took action against the Camorra. The show’s willingness to name names and describe operations in detail made it a target for threats. That courage is part of why the series holds up.
Gomorrah is not an easy watch. It is not a comfortable watch either. But it is a necessary one. The show asks hard questions about loyalty, survival, and the price of power. It does not offer answers. It offers only the truth of the streets.
Gomorrah is a flawed masterpiece. It is brutal, repetitive, and occasionally too long. But it is also powerful, urgent, and unforgettable. It deserves its reputation as one of the greatest crime dramas ever made.
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