‘Adagio’ Netflix Movie Review - This Slow Crime Drama is One Time Watch

In the opening scenes, we are introduced to the youthful Manuel, portrayed with striking authenticity by newcomer Gianmarco Franchini. At a mere sixteen years old, Manuel finds himself entangled in a web of troubles. Balancing the typical aspirations of adolescence with the solemn responsibility of caring for his ailing father, who grapples with dementia, Manuel's life is far from ordinary.

As the narrative unfolds, we are drawn deeper into Manuel's world, where the shadows of a sinister presence loom large. It becomes apparent that Manuel is being targeted by an unknown perpetrator who wields the weapon of blackmail. This nefarious force casts a dark cloud over Manuel's already tumultuous existence, shaping the trajectory of the film's gripping storyline.

Now let's get into the “why” part, why he was blackmailed. Mnaule has been tasked with secretly entering into a homosexual party that is filled with drugs and alcohol. He was simple and straightforward or so we all thought. He had to take “compromising” pictures of a mysterious individual. Who he was, that dear reader I leave up to you. While doing so he realises that there may be hidden cameras in the place. In a chilling moment of realization, Manuel discovers the insidious presence of hidden cameras lurking within the walls of the building. A wave of shock courses through him as he comprehends the magnitude of the situation: his own actions, captured on film for all to see. The revelation of his vulnerability, exposed in the act of snorting cocaine, sends a shiver down his spine. In a chilling moment of realization, Manuel discovers the insidious presence of hidden cameras lurking within the walls of the building. A wave of shock courses through him as he comprehends the magnitude of the situation: his own actions, captured on film for all to see. The revelation of his vulnerability, exposed in the act of snorting cocaine, sends a shiver down his spine.

With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Manuel's fight-or-flight instinct takes over. The urgency of the situation propels him into action as he makes a split-second decision to flee. Every heartbeat reverberates with the fear of exposure, driving him to escape the clutches of the unseen eyes that now surveil his every move. In a desperate bid for survival, Manuel races against time, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he disappears into the night, haunted by the specter of his own unwitting betrayal. As the net of blackmail tightens around him, Manuel finds himself thrust into a perilous game of cat and mouse. The relentless pursuit of the blackmailers drives him to seek refuge in the most unlikely of places—the murky depths of the criminal underworld-his father's former associates. Will the blackmailers ever get to him?

Will Manuel ever get away from the crime world? Or is he stuck in this forever? "Adagio" disappoints as a one-time viewing experience, failing to conjure the enchantment it promised. Upon initial viewing, its storyline feels elusive, leaving viewers struggling to grasp its essence at first glance. If you are into crime thrillers, go ahead and watch. Otherwise, feel free to skip.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times