Season 1
8 episodes May 21, 2025 10.0
Overview
Four old friends, Massimo, Mattia, Luigi and Riccardo, juggle relationships, careers and dating in a modern world set on giving masculinity a hard time.
Seasons
1 listed- Status
- Returning Series
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 8 episodes
- First aired
- May 21, 2025
- Last aired
- May 21, 2025
- Network
- Netflix
Latest episode: S1 E8 Men Never Change (May 21, 2025)
Cast
10 people
Reviews
7 min readThe Joke’s on Whom?
There’s a moment in Real Men that lands like a punchline you didn’t see coming. The four friends—Massimo, Mattia, Riccardo, and Luigi—are midway through their mandatory "deconstruction of toxic masculinity" seminar, sitting in a circle like reluctant group-therapy patients. The facilitator, a no-nonsense woman in her fifties, asks them to name one thing they’ve done in the past week that made them feel vulnerable.
Silence. Then Luigi, the most traditionally macho of the bunch, blurts out, "I cried during a commercial for dog food." The room erupts in laughter, but the camera lingers on his face—caught between embarrassment and something like relief. It’s a small beat, but it encapsulates the series’ central tension: these men are being asked to unlearn a lifetime of performative toughness, and the process is equal parts absurd and achingly human.
Real Men arrives at a moment when the crisis of masculinity has become a cottage industry in television. From The Bear’s raw emotional outbursts to Fleabag’s withering takedowns of male fragility, the idea that men are struggling to adapt to a world that no longer guarantees them dominance is everywhere. But Real Men—a Netflix Italy original and a remake of the Spanish series Alpha Males—doesn’t just ride this wave; it dives headfirst into the contradictions of its premise.
Is it a satire of patriarchal behavior, or does it risk becoming another example of the very thing it claims to critique? The answer, like the men at its center, is messy.
The series follows four lifelong friends in Rome, all in their forties, whose lives are unraveling in ways that feel both painfully specific and uncomfortably familiar. Massimo (Maurizio Lastrico) is a once-successful chef whose restaurant is failing, not because of his cooking, but because he can’t stomach the idea of taking orders from a woman. Mattia (Matteo Martari) is a divorced father struggling to connect with his teenage daughter, who sees right through his attempts to play the "cool dad."
Riccardo (Francesco Montanari) is a corporate drone whose midlife crisis manifests in increasingly desperate attempts to prove his virility, while Luigi (Pietro Sermonti) is a former athlete clinging to the glory days of his youth, unable to accept that his body—and his relevance—are fading. Their collective crisis isn’t just personal; it’s cultural. The world they grew up in, where being a "real man" meant never showing weakness, never admitting doubt, and never, ever crying (unless it was over a sports loss), is crumbling.
And they don’t know how to live in the rubble.
What makes Real Men more than just another entry in the "men in crisis" genre is its refusal to let its characters off the hook. The series is structured around their participation in a seminar designed to dismantle their toxic behaviors, and the writing walks a razor’s edge between mocking their resistance and acknowledging the genuine pain beneath it. In one scene, Massimo storms out of the seminar after being asked to reflect on how his behavior has harmed the women in his life.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.2/10
"A sharp-witted comedy with standout performances but uneven pacing that divides viewers."
The series wins praise for its sharp humor and the chemistry among the lead cast, particularly Maurizio Lastrico and Matteo Martari, who deliver consistently funny and engaging performances. However, some find the pacing inconsistent, with jokes that don’t always land and a narrative that occasionally drags, latestnetflix.com argues, leaving the overall experience feeling hit-or-miss.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Maurizio Lastrico and Matteo Martari are frequently highlighted for their comedic timing and on-screen chemistry.
- Sharp, witty humor The writing is often praised for its clever and fast-paced jokes, appealing to fans of smart comedy.
- Engaging ensemble The supporting cast, including Sarah Felberbaum and Francesco Montanari, adds depth and energy to the series.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing Some viewers feel the series struggles with inconsistent pacing, leading to moments that drag or feel disjointed.
- Mixed joke success While some jokes land perfectly, others fall flat, making the humor feel inconsistent.
- Thin character arcs A few characters lack development, leaving some storylines feeling underwhelming or unresolved.
Recommended for
Fans of Italian comedy Lovers of ensemble casts Viewers who enjoy sharp wit Those seeking lighthearted entertainment
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Real Men (2025) Serves Up a Sharp Take on Modern Masculinity—With a Star-Studded Cast
Netflix’s upcoming Italian comedy-drama Real Men (2025) is already turning heads—not just for its timely premise but for its powerhouse ensemble. The series, a remake of the Spanish hit Alpha Males (Machos Alfa), follows four middle-aged friends grappling with shifting gender dynamics, toxic masculinity, and the messy reality of modern relationships. With a cast that reads like a who’s who of Italian television and film, Real Men promises to blend humor with hard-hitting social commentary—all while keeping audiences hooked on the personal dramas of its flawed, relatable leads.
The Core Four: A Friendship Under Fire
At the heart of Real Men are Massimo (Maurizio Lastrico), Mattia (Matteo Martari), Luigi (Pietro Sermonti), and Riccardo (Francesco Montanari), four longtime friends whose bond is tested as they navigate midlife crises, professional setbacks, and the evolving expectations of manhood. The debut episode, "Made in Italy," sets the tone: each man is struggling in his own way, whether it’s career stagnation, romantic failures, or the pressure to conform to outdated ideals of masculinity 
.
The series doesn’t shy away from the darker side of these struggles. According to IMDb, Real Men uses humor as a Trojan horse to tackle bias and redefine what it means to be a "real man" in a world where traditional roles are increasingly obsolete 
. It’s a premise that feels both universal and urgently specific to Italy’s cultural landscape, where debates over gender equality and workplace dynamics remain contentious.
A Cast That Brings the Drama (and the Laughs)
The chemistry among the four leads is clearly a priority—Netflix has already greenlit a second season, with filming underway and the original quartet returning . But the supporting cast is just as stacked, adding layers of intrigue and conflict:
- Sarah Felberbaum and Laura Adriani play pivotal roles, though their characters’ details remain under wraps. Felberbaum, known for her work in Baby and The Medici, brings a mix of warmth and steel, while Adriani’s recent turn in The Law According to Lidia Poët proves she can hold her own in high-stakes drama.
- Thony, the Italian-Filipino singer-actress, joins the ensemble as Tiziana, a character likely to shake up the group’s dynamics. Her inclusion hints at a more diverse perspective on the series’ central themes.
- Corrado Fortuna and Nicole Grimaudo round out the cast, though their roles are still shrouded in mystery. Fortuna’s past work in Suburra suggests he’ll bring an edge to the series, while Grimaudo’s versatility (from The Young Pope to Inspector Montalbano) ensures she’ll leave her mark.
The series is directed by Letizia Lamartire and Matteo Oleotto, a duo with a knack for balancing sharp social commentary with crowd-pleasing storytelling. Lamartire’s work on Baby (another Netflix Italy hit) and Oleotto’s Easy (a darkly comedic take on modern life) suggest Real Men will walk the line between biting satire and heartfelt drama .
**Why Real Men Could Be Netflix’s Next Big Italian Hit**
Netflix has been doubling down on Italian originals, and Real Men checks all the boxes: a timely premise, a stacked cast, and a format that’s easy to binge. The series’ remake status might raise eyebrows—Alpha Males was a hit in Spain, but can it resonate with Italian audiences? Early buzz suggests yes. The show’s blend of humor and social critique feels tailor-made for a post-#MeToo world, where conversations about masculinity are more urgent than ever.
There’s also the question of how the series will handle its female characters. With Felberbaum, Adriani, and Thony in key roles, Real Men has the potential to avoid the pitfalls of many male-centric narratives by giving its women agency and depth. If the writing holds up, it could set a new standard for how Italian series tackle gender dynamics.
What’s Next?
The first season’s release date hasn’t been announced, but with filming on the second season already underway, Netflix is clearly betting big on Real Men . Rumors (unconfirmed) suggest the show could drop in late 2024 or early 2025, giving audiences plenty of time to speculate about the fates of Massimo, Mattia, Luigi, and Riccardo.
One thing’s for sure: Real Men isn’t just another bromance. It’s a series with teeth, one that promises to challenge its characters—and its audience—while delivering the kind of sharp, addictive storytelling that keeps viewers coming back for more.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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