In what appears to be a continuous expansion of Elena Ferrante’s literary universe, season four gathers momentum in early February as screen adaptations of key novels edge closer to completion. The first feature, Annoying Love, shot in Italy in 1995, followed the novel’s release by three years and paved the way for later films like The Days of Abandonment and, more famously, The Dark Daughter. That project earned Maggie Gyllenhaal the best screenplay award at Venice in 2021, underscoring the enduring cinematic appeal of Ferrante’s work.
Another clear sign of the Ferranteverse taking shape is The Lying Life of Adults, now a Netflix series. Set in Naples during the nineties, the story follows Giovanna as she embarks on a deep journey of self-discovery. The catalyst is the desire to meet her seemingly formidable aunt Vittoria, a figure home life never lets the family fully reveal. Vittoria’s presence unsettles the familiar balance, and as the two forge an uneasy connection, the polished surface of a refined, educated family cracks to reveal tensions beneath.
Giovanna’s fascination with Vittoria—the woman who is at once utterly impatient, deeply unhappy, and driven by a formidable, unresolved love—resonates with audiences both on screen and on the page. Valeria Golino embodies Vittoria with a blend of unmistakable tenderness and ancient ferocity. Early in the project, producer and director Edoardo De Angelis noted that Golino initially surprised the team. “Valeria wasn’t the obvious match for the role at first,” he explains. “She contrasts Vittoria with velvet-like sweetness, yet the character carries a wild, animal edge. Read between the lines and her sensitivity becomes clear, a tenderness that mirrors Vittoria’s inner weather.”
Not an overprotective writer
De Angelis has spoken about a key stance when adapting Ferrante: accepting the possibility of defeat. The reality is simple yet profound—readers bring their own visions to the books, and a filmmaker can never satisfy everyone. The aim is not to please everyone but to stay true to a personal, liberated vision. If that means making bold changes, so be it. The essential challenge is to stay faithful to the spirit of the work while letting the story breathe in a new medium.
This openness sometimes translates into significant shifts in script and structure. Working with seasoned screenwriters Laura Paolucci and Francesco Piccolo, the adaptation explores fresh narrative corners without erasing the core themes. The creative team sought to extend the story’s reach through reimagined scenes, updated pacing, and newly carved roles. Even so, Ferrante remained engaged throughout the process via email and provided input during both the writing and editing phases, contributing to the evolution while preserving the essence of the drama.
While some facets may evolve, the central motifs endure: a tale about the end of innocence, the pull of temptation, the burden of deceit, and the moment when truth emerges from concealment. The narrative also probes the delicate line between the bourgeois Naples often imagined and the harsher, industrial realities that lie beneath. The hills and the city, seen in tandem, reveal an interconnected landscape where beauty and ugliness coexist and intersect in surprising ways.
Sensory project
The series places heavy emphasis on voice and perception, balancing narration with a crafted sensory experience. The aim is to convey inner turmoil through immersive sound, not just dialogue. Music and sound design become foundational elements. Veteran jazz fusion saxophonist Enzo Avitabile contributes to a soundtrack that defies conventional boundaries. The process starts with a conversation about mood and setting, followed by Avitabile providing extended musical passages that shape the scene, guide the performers, and steer the camera work. This collaborative method often yields a soundtrack that evolves with the shoot and the actors’ performances. The approach also leans on songs from the nineties to illuminate Giovanna’s inner landscape, including tracks that underscore pivotal emotional turns, such as a notable remix of a classic on the list of arrangements for the project.