New Movies: Follemente (2025) by Paolo Genovese: A Journey into the Human Mind

Core Summary: The Voices We Inhabit Follemente (Madly, 2025), directed by Paolo Genovese, is a brilliant and original comedy that takes us into the "very crowded mind" of Piero and Lara, two forty-somethings on their first date. Through the physical representation of their multiple personalities (rational, romantic, instinctive, sometimes mad), the film explores the hidden thoughts and internal conflicts that influence our choices and relationships. We laugh, discuss, and attempt to find agreement among the various "factions" of the mind, offering a funny and profound look at individual complexity and couple dynamics, with a more optimistic tone about love compared to the director's previous works.

Summary Short: When the Mind is a Crowd A comedy that explores the thoughts and personalities crowding the minds of two protagonists on their first date, revealing the complexity of human relationships with originality and humor.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34621892/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/474006/

About movie: https://www.lotusproduction.it/film/follemente

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/follemente (Italy)

Detailed Summary: The Inner Chaos of a First Date

• Film Overview: Follemente (2025) is an Italian comedy directed by Paolo Genovese, with a runtime of 97 minutes. It is distributed by 01 Distribution.

• Innovative Concept: The film stands out for its original narrative structure: instead of just showing the dialogue between two people, it immerses us in their minds. The "very crowded mind" of the protagonists, Lara and Piero, is literally represented by different personalities coexisting within them – rational, romantic, instinctive, and even mad.

• The Plot: The story focuses on the first date between Lara, 35, and Piero, around 40, an encounter "dictated by a need for refined romanticism." The entire date takes place at Lara's home, where she tries to be welcoming, while the voices of their respective minds overlap, argue, and seek agreement.

• Psychological Exploration: The film investigates the mysterious mechanisms that drive us to act, the ulterior motives and internal conflicts that influence our choices in relationships. The comedy focuses on the "complexity of the individual" and the thesis that men and women today feel "too constrained by their respective (self-)definitions," suggesting they should often set aside their ulterior motives to make room for improvisation.

• Star-Studded Cast: The film boasts a rich cast of Italian actors who play both the protagonists and the "voices" in their heads. The main cast includes Edoardo Leo (Piero) and Pilar Fogliati (Lara), supported by Emanuela Fanelli, Maria Chiara Giannetta, Claudia Pandolfi, Vittoria Puccini, Marco Giallini, Maurizio Lastrico, Rocco Papaleo, and Claudio Santamaria.

• Contrast with Previous Works: Compared to Genovese's previous films, such as Perfect Strangers (which offered a more pessimistic view of love, summarized by "everyone lies"), Follemente offers a lighter, pop, and more optimistic tone, with a happy ending.

• Impact and Reception: The comedy was hailed as the "first true breath of fresh air in the comedy genre" of Italian cinema, appreciated for being "genuinely funny" at times and for its ability to make the audience "easily recognize themselves in its protagonists."

Plot Summary: An Eight-Voiced Date

• The Initial Encounter: Lara (35) and Piero (40), both with past romantic relationships, meet for their first date at Lara's house. The atmosphere is charged with a desired romanticism, but internal complexities quickly emerge.

• The Voices in the Head: The film visualizes and gives voice to the multiple personalities and thoughts constantly swirling in the minds of the two protagonists. These internal "factions" – rational and emotional, passionate and romantic – express themselves without filters, creating a noisy chorus that leaves no room for silence.

• Conflicts and Embarrassments: Through the dialogues between these inner personalities, insecurities, fears, hidden desires, and commonplaces that animate Lara's and Piero's emotions emerge. The encounter is punctuated by funny and realistic moments, where attempts to appear friendly and welcoming clash with the chaos of inner thoughts.

• The Revelation of Ulterior Motives: The interaction between the voices allows the audience to peek into the characters' ulterior motives, such as the "ultra fan excitement" behind her calm face, or the moment when the man feels "on trial for his gender."

• Towards a Happy Ending: Despite internal discussions and difficulties in making the different "factions" of the mind coexist, the film leads to an agreement among thoughts and a happy ending for the budding relationship between Lara and Piero, showing an optimistic evolution of couple dynamics.

Director's Vision: The Complexity of the Mind Revealed by Comedy Paolo Genovese's vision for Follemente is to explore the "complexity of the individual" and the dynamics of human relationships through an innovative and humorous lens, physically representing the "voices in the head" of his characters.

• The Mind as a Stage: Genovese stated in a press conference: "We think everything and the opposite of everything," emphasizing how the film aims to show the different "voices" that push or invite us in one direction or another, much like in the cartoon Inside Out but applied to an adult and romantic context.

• Optimism about Love: Unlike Perfect Strangers, the director intends to offer a more "light, pop, and optimistic" view of love and relationships, concluding with a happy ending that suggests a possibility of harmony among inner personalities.

• Contemporary Male-Female Relationship: The film aims to investigate how "men and women today feel too constrained by their respective (self-)definitions," encouraging them to "often set aside their ulterior motives to make room for improvisation."

• Cast Effectiveness: His vision translated into careful direction of the actors, both the protagonists and the interpreters of the inner voices, who are "always effective and at times truly amazing" in making the relationship and its evolution credible.

• Rhythm and Originality: The director focuses on "editing" and acting timings that give a brilliant and original rhythm to the comedy, despite some clichés in dealing with the protagonists' uncertainties.

Themes: The Mosaic of Personalities and Modern Love

• The Plurality of the Self: The central theme is the idea that our mind is "a very crowded place," inhabited by "many different personalities" (rational, romantic, instinctive, mad) that must coexist and find a balance.

• Contemporary Couple Dynamics: The film explores the challenges and complexities of male-female relationships in the modern era, where self-definitions can be limiting and ulterior motives deeply influence interaction.

• Love and Pragmatism: It analyzes the contrast between the "need for refined romanticism" and the reality of the characters, already "sufficiently tested by life" and with past histories, seeking a balance between instinct and reason at the beginning of a new relationship.

• Authenticity and Social Pretense: The film stages the gap between what characters show externally (friendliness, welcoming) and what they actually think, inviting reflection on authenticity in relationships.

• The Role of Emotions: Emotions and instinctive reactions are personified and placed at the center of the action, showing how they directly influence decisions and the course of an encounter.

• Overcoming Gender Prejudices: The film touches upon, albeit lightly and humorously, how men and women perceive each other and the clichés associated with gender roles.

Key Success Factors: The Brilliant Idea and an Excellent Cast

• Originality of Concept: The idea of giving voice and form to the protagonists' inner personalities is innovative for Italian comedy, distinguishing it and attracting public curiosity.

• Direction by Paolo Genovese: Genovese's consolidated success, known for thought-provoking comedies (Perfect Strangers), generated great expectations and confidence in the project.

• Top-Tier Cast: The presence of highly beloved and appreciated Italian actors like Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati, Emanuela Fanelli, and Marco Giallini ensures strong appeal.

• Brilliant and Intelligent Humor: The film was praised for being "brilliant and funny," with sharp dialogues and comedic situations arising from the characters' inner conflicts.

• Authentic Representation of Thoughts: The actors' ability to make the multiple "voices in the head" and their interaction believable offers the audience an experience where they can "easily recognize themselves."

• Optimistic and Profound Tone: Despite its lightness, the film offers a deep reflection on human nature and love, with a positive final message.

Summary Short: A Box Office Triumph and Industry Recognition Follemente (2025) premiered in cinemas on February 20, 2025, in Italy, reaching the top of the Italian box office in its opening weekend and grossing over $19.9 million (approximately €17.5 million) overall. It received important accolades at the Nastri d'Argento 2025, winning Best Comedy and Best Actress in a Comedy Film (Pilar Fogliati). The film is coming to Disney+ on June 6, 2025.

Awards & Nominations: A Flying Start for Italian Comedy Follemente (2025) has already received important recognition at the Nastri d'Argento 2025, confirming its critical and public success.

• Winner:

  • Best Comedy

  • Best Actress in a Comedy Film (Pilar Fogliati)

• Nominations:

  • Best Actor in a Comedy Film (Edoardo Leo)

  • Best Live Sound

• Other Accolades: Paolo Genovese received the Nastri d'Argento – Hamilton Behind the Camera Award for Follemente.

• The film also received the Gold Medal at the Box Office for surpassing 2,000,000 viewers.

Critics Reception: An Acclaimed Comedy That Makes You Think Follemente has been met with generally very positive critical reviews, highlighting its freshness and intelligence within the landscape of Italian comedy.

• MYmovies.it: Described as a "brilliant and entertaining comedy, constructed in a highly original way," with a "central point, always incredibly engaging" in the male-female relationship. It received a rating of 3.9 out of 5.

• Ciak Magazine (Flavio Natalia): Praised the film as the "first, true breath of fresh air in the comedy genre of our cinema," highlighting the actors' skill (protagonists and "voices") who are "always effective and at times genuinely amazing." Rating 4.5 out of 5.

• Movieplayer.it: Gave the film a rating of 3.0 out of 5, calling it a "strange and interesting" film for those who like "strange films" and emphasizing the skill of Pilar Fogliati and Edoardo Leo. It recognized the film's rhythm thanks to the editing and the actors' timing.

• RSI (Valentina Mira): Appreciated the film for being "light, pop, and optimistic without being silly," and for its ability to make the audience "easily recognize themselves in its protagonists," finding it "genuinely funny" at times.

• Common Considerations: Critics generally appreciated the originality of the idea, the cast's ensemble performance, and Genovese's ability to create a comedy that not only makes people laugh but also invites reflection on the complexity of the human mind and couple relationships. Some pointed out the presence of "some clichés too many" or the possibility of a deeper exploration of gender roles.

Reviews: Public and Critics Crown the Comedy Reviews for Follemente (2025) have been overall positive, from both critics and the audience, confirming the film's success.

• IMDb (Audience): The audience rated the film with a score of 7.0 out of 10, indicating strong appreciation.

• MYmovies.it (Users): Recorded high satisfaction, with comments calling it a "GREAT FILM" and a "brilliant and entertaining comedy, constructed in a highly original way." Users appreciated the film's ability to make them laugh and think, with expressions like "There's a crowd in Lara and Piero's minds, a noisy crowd that leaves no moment of silence or peace. Words tumble over each other, we laugh, we argue, and we try to find an agreement."

• General Critical Consensus: Reviews highlighted the film's ability to be "genuinely funny" at times and to make the audience recognize themselves in its protagonists, despite some "clichés too many" noted by a few.

• Recognition of Innovation: Many welcomed the narrative approach as a "breath of fresh air" for the Italian comedy genre.

Box Office: An Overwhelming Success for Italian Cinema Follemente (2025) achieved remarkable success at the Italian box office.

• Release Date: February 20, 2025 (Italy).

• Total Gross: It reached a total gross of over $19,951,615 (approximately €17,585,755), becoming one of the most successful Italian films of 2025.

• Initial Performance: It debuted at the top of the Italian box office in its opening weekend, even surpassing international titles.

• Longevity in Theaters: The film maintained excellent performance for several weeks, remaining in the top spots of the box office.

• Millions of Viewers: It surpassed the 2,000,000 viewer mark, an exceptional result for a national production.

• Positioning: As of May 5, 2025, it ranks very well among Italian and international films, demonstrating broad public appreciation.

Production Summary: A Collaborative Comedy Project Follemente (2025) is an Italian comedy film with a runtime of 97 minutes (1h 37min), produced in 2025. It is directed by Paolo Genovese, and the screenplay was written by Genovese himself in collaboration with Paolo Costella, Isabella Aguilar, Flaminia Gressi, and Lucia Calamaro. The music was composed by Maurizio Filardo. The film features a large ensemble cast of well-known Italian actors.

Production Companies: The Creative Engine of the Film Available information does not explicitly state the main production companies beyond the distribution. However, it is an Italian production, and given the distribution by 01 Distribution, it likely involves Rai Cinema or other major Italian production houses associated with that distributor.

Distribution Companies: From Theaters to Digital The Italian distributor of the film is 01 Distribution. The film is also available or coming soon to digital platforms, specifically on Disney+ from June 6, 2025.

Release date on streaming: The Arrival on the Small Screen Follemente (2025) arrived on streaming on Disney+ starting June 6, 2025.

Theatrical Release: The Encounter with the Italian Audience Follemente (2025) was released in Italian cinemas on February 20, 2025. Special previews and streaming connections with the cast were also organized in selected cinemas as early as February 8, 2025.

Why to Recommend this Movie: A Comedy That Touches the Soul

• Extraordinary Originality: The concept of visualizing the "voices" in the characters' heads is a fresh and innovative idea for comedy, offering a unique point of reflection.

• Guaranteed and Intelligent Laughter: The film is genuinely funny, with humor arising from the characters' inner dynamics and their attempts to manage the complexity of their thoughts.

• Exceptional Cast: The ensemble performance of the actors, both in the main roles and as the inner "personalities," is universally appreciated and greatly contributes to the film's success.

• Profound Reflection: Beyond laughter, the film invites authentic reflection on relationships, the masks we wear, and the difficulty of reconciling the different facets of our self.

• Optimism about Love: Unlike other works by Genovese, it offers a more hopeful and positive message about love and the possibility of authentic connection despite complexities.

Why to Watch Movie: Discover What You Really Think

• If you love intelligent comedies: It's a film that not only makes you laugh but stimulates your mind with a deep and well-developed core idea.

• If you recognize yourself in the "inner voices": The representation of different personalities in the protagonists' heads is incredibly relatable and will make you feel understood.

• For the Most Optimistic Genovese: If you appreciated the director's previous works but desire a sunnier and more positive vision of love and relationships.

• For a star-studded cast: The opportunity to see an ensemble of top-tier Italian actors bring complex and entertaining characters to life.

• For a light yet meaningful evening: It's the perfect film for those seeking entertainment without sacrificing a point of reflection on human nature.

Movie Trend: The New Wave of Reflective Comedy Follemente (2025) perfectly fits into the growing trend of "auteur comedy" in Italian cinema, which aims to combine humor with a profound reflection on society and human relationships, often with an original and innovative approach to storytelling. The success of this film, which topped the box office and received important awards, also strengthens the trend of investing in quality national productions that can compete with international blockbusters. Its transition to streaming platforms like Disney+ also reflects the inevitable evolution towards multi-platform distribution to maximize visibility and commercial success.

Social Trend: The Search for Authenticity in the Era of Complexity The film resonates with the current social trend exploring the "complexity of the individual" and "mental health" (albeit lightly), reflecting on how the multiple facets of our personality influence relationships. In an era where AI and social media push towards hyper-personalization and self-staging, Follemente celebrates authenticity and the difficulty of truly being oneself, questioning gender (self-)definitions. Its success also indicates a public desire to see difficulties in family and couple relationships represented realistically but also humorously and, in this case, optimistically.

Final Conclusions: Italian Comedy Renews Itself with Genovese Follemente (2025) is a gem of contemporary Italian comedy, a film that intelligently and lightly delves into the depths of the human mind to portray love and relationships as never seen before. Paolo Genovese, with a cast in top form, has created a work that entertains, moves, and makes one reflect, demonstrating that even in inner chaos, harmony can be found. It is a film that celebrates the madness, contradictions, and beauty of being human, leaving the viewer with a smile and a sense of profound understanding. Its box office success and awards confirm that its "madness" is contagious and universally appreciated.

Recommendations for Filmmakers: Dare to be Comically Introspective

• Explore New Narrative Languages: Don't be afraid to experiment with the structure and representation of thoughts and emotions, as in this film, to create fresh and engaging experiences.

• Focus on Ensemble Casts: Utilize a talented ensemble of actors who can bring multiple characters to life, including "inner" ones, greatly enriching the narration.

• Balance Comedy and Depth: Create films that are genuinely funny but also offer food for thought on complex themes, making comedy a vehicle for introspection.

• Invest in Screenwriting: Sharp and well-structured writing, with brilliant dialogues, is fundamental for a comedy that aims to leave its mark.

• Reflect Social Trends: Base stories on current social themes and dynamics to make the film more relevant and relatable for the audience.

Recommendations for the Movie Industry: Support Italian Originality

• Promote Innovative Formats: Continue to invest in films that dare with original and unconventional narrative concepts, encouraging creativity in the comedy genre.

• Value Italian Talent: Provide space and support for Italian directors and actors who demonstrate the ability to create high-quality products with strong national and international appeal.

• Digital Expansion: Ensure distribution strategies that include both cinemas and streaming platforms to maximize the film's reach and accessibility.

• Capture Contemporary Themes: Encourage the production of films that address relevant social and psychological themes, stimulating dialogue and reflection among the public.

• Support Quality Comedy: Recognize the commercial and cultural potential of brilliant and well-written comedies that go beyond superficial laughter.

Final Conclusions: Italian Comedy Renews with Genovese Follemente (2025) is a work that marks a new, exciting phase in Paolo Genovese's career and in Italian comedy. With its audacious idea of exploring the chaos and harmony of the human mind, the film asserts itself as a brilliant, profound, and irresistibly entertaining cinematic experience. The success of critics and audiences proves that originality, combined with an exceptional cast and an optimistic vision, can win hearts, leaving a lasting impression on the cinematic landscape and confirming the vitality of Italian cinema