Ilary is pure surrealist entertainment

While watching episodes of Ilary, a five-part series that chronicles the off-camera life of the famous host Ilary Blasi (though one might wonder: aren’t Netflix cameras still cameras?), the feeling is the same as when watching her documentary released a year ago, Unica. It’s impressive, incredible, and reminiscent of a surrealist art piece worthy of Buñuel’s best works. Futurist, dreamlike, Dadaist. Calling it grotesque feels too easy. The realms of this streaming show – which in the past, with Unica explored the behind-the-scenes of her separation from football legend Francesco Totti – are dominated by the grit of its lead. This time, Ilary takes center stage as the title character, ready to evolve from being Italy’s Kate Middleton (often attributed to her and Totti as “our royals”) to aspiring to be the Kim Kardashian of Torrino.

What is Ilary Blasi's Netflix documentary about?

The visionary aspect of the show lies in crafting a product tailored to depict her as both the queen of Eur’s hills and someone returning to her roots to rebuild post-divorce. It’s part heartwarming like an Olio Cuore commercial, part self-discovery journey – literally diving out of an airplane with a parachute. A private moment that couldn’t possibly exclude cameras. And, of course, there’s a moment where Ilary reflects on the importance of rediscovering family joys as she embarks on a new life. To emphasize her relatability, even her grandmother makes an appearance, leaving us wondering whether she ever renewed her driver’s license. We see Ilary in various roles: Ilary with friends (Sex and the City), Ilary cooking (La prova del cuoco), Ilary taking a criminology entrance exam (Chi l’ha visto). Amid interviews and adventures, the documentary tries to pass off as authentic a product that is thoroughly (and delightfully) fake, yet somehow less palatable than Unica.

The Italian reality show and Bastian Müller’s role

This production perhaps stems from the lack of reality shows featuring true Italian stars. Back in 2018, rumors swirled about a potential Casa Totti project – an illegitimate child of Casa Vianello – starring Ilary Blasi and Francesco Totti. Now, Ilary flies solo, though the series introduces her new partner, Bastian Müller. A German entrepreneur she met in an airport lounge, their relationship fascinates with its linguistic barrier. At one point, Ilary explains: he’s learning Italian more and more, and according to Müller, she always finds a way to communicate. And us?

As for us, we’d love to be invited to the legendary game nights at Blasi’s house. We’d even bring something homemade to share. That would be the ultimate test to determine if the Netflix series is true or false – and just how true or false it is. We don’t know the answer, but one thing’s certain: spending an evening immersed in the discreet charm of Roman bourgeoisie would be an experience like no other, Unica.