The new Netflix show, The Decameron, draws inspiration from Giovanni Boccaccio's short story collection set during the Black Death, offering a unique take on a pandemic-themed dark comedy. The show follows a group of characters, including nobles and servants, seeking refuge in an Italian countryside villa to escape the plague.
The show's showrunner explains that the intention behind The Decameron was to explore the slice of life moments during a pandemic, drawing parallels between historical times and the modern-day experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the show's wine-soaked sex romp premise, it manages to blend deep sadness and laughter in a compelling way.
