Review: 'The City of the Living' Delivers Powerful Drama but Misses Queer Representation

In 'The City of the Living,' director Edoardo Gabbriellini dramatizes the real 2016 murder of Luca Varani, a 23-year-old Roman who worked with his father and attended night school. The film shines through Emanuele Maria Di Stefano's portrayal of Luca and the heartfelt performances of Simona Senzacqua and Valerio Mastandrea as his adoptive parents. Luca's relationship with his girlfriend Marta, played by Gaia Merlonghi, adds emotional stakes as he seeks a better future.

The narrative centers on the aftermath of his death, but critics argue that the two killers are depicted only through their sexuality, lacking any broader queer representation. This omission is seen as a missed opportunity to balance the story's empathy for the victim with a more nuanced view of the gay community.