The highly anticipated historical drama “Mussolini: Son of the Century” (Il figlio del secolo) is set to make its exclusive premiere on MUBI on September 10, 2025. The film delves into the critical and tumultuous five-year period that shaped the fate of Italy and all of Europe, tracing Benito Mussolini’s ruthless ascent from the founding of his revolutionary Fasci Italiani di Combattimento in 1919 to the pivotal moment he cemented his dictatorship: his infamous speech to Parliament on January 3, 1925, following the assassination of socialist deputy Giacomo Matteotti. This intimate and chilling character study promises to be a gripping examination of the allure of fascism and the mechanics of power.

Anchoring this ambitious film is a powerhouse ensemble of Italy’s finest acting talent, led by the formidable Luca Marinelli in the central role of Il Duce. The cast, which includes Gaetano Bruno as the martyred Matteotti and Barbara Chichiarelli as Mussolini’s influential intellectual lover, Margherita Sarfatti, is poised to bring this dark chapter of history to life with intensity and nuance. This is not a sweeping biopic but a focused, political thriller that dissects the precise moments and key figures that enabled a dictator’s rise.

Mussolini: Son of the Century main cast

1- Luca Marinelli as Benito Mussolini

Luca Marinelli, an actor renowned for his transformative and powerful performances, takes on the formidable challenge of portraying one of history’s most infamous figures. Marinelli first gained international acclaim for his award-winning role as the boxer Martin Eden in Pietro Marcello’s eponymous film, a performance that showcased his incredible physical and psychological dedication. His profile soared globally with his charismatic turn as the immortal Andalusia mercenary in Netflix’s The Old Guard, proving his ability to command the screen in multiple languages and genres.

His portrayal of the young, volatile, and ruthlessly ambitious Mussolini will require a deep dive into the complex psyche of a man who evolved from a socialist journalist to the charismatic leader of a fascist movement. Marinelli’s proven range—from brooding intensity to explosive charisma—makes him the perfect actor to explore the magnetism and the terrifying brutality that defined Mussolini’s early rise to absolute power.

2- Gaetano Bruno as Giacomo Matteotti

Portraying the principled socialist politician and Mussolini’s most vocal critic, Giacomo Matteotti, is the talented Gaetano Bruno. Bruno is a respected figure in Italian cinema and television, known for his strong character work. He has appeared in numerous popular Italian series, including the long-running medical drama Un Medico in Famiglia, and has showcased his range in films like La pazza gioia (Like Crazy). His ability to embody decency and moral fortitude will be central to the role of Matteotti.

As the conscience of the opposition, Matteotti’s courageous defiance and tragic assassination form the film’s moral and narrative core. Bruno’s task is to bring to life a man of unwavering conviction, whose murder by Fascist thugs created a crisis that ultimately forced Mussolini to openly declare his dictatorship, a moment Bruno’s performance will undoubtedly make profoundly impactful.

3- Barbara Chichiarelli as Margherita Sarfatti

Barbara Chichiarelli plays the sophisticated and influential Margherita Sarfatti, Mussolini’s Jewish intellectual lover, art critic, and early propaganda architect. Chichiarelli is a versatile actress known for her work in both contemporary and period pieces. International audiences will recognize her from the acclaimed Italian crime drama series Gomorrah, and she has also appeared in films like The Place and The Startup.

Her role as Sarfatti is crucial, representing the intellectual and cultural legitimization Mussolini sought in his early years. Chichiarelli will explore the complex dynamic of a powerful woman who was both a intimate partner and a key political advisor, whose influence waned as Mussolini’s regime embraced more extreme and racist ideologies.

The Supporting Ensemble:

• Francesco Russo as Cesare Rossi: A seasoned actor with credits in Il capitano Maria and Imma Tataranni, Russo plays Mussolini’s head of press and propaganda, a key figure in the early Fascist organization.

• Benedetta Cimatti as Rachele Mussolini: Cimatti takes on the role of Mussolini’s steadfast and tough wife, Rachele, who represented a link to his humble origins and a different, more private side of his life.

• Massimo De Lorenzo as Alfredo Rocco: An actor with a strong presence in legal and political dramas, De Lorenzo portrays the nationalist jurist who would later become the Minister of Justice and author of Italy’s authoritarian penal code.

• Fulvio Falzarano as Giovanni Giolitti: A veteran actor of Italian stage and screen, Falzarano brings to life the elderly and shrewd Liberal Prime Minister who notoriously underestimated the Fascist threat.

• Maurizio Lombardi as Emilio De Bono: Lombardi, known for *1992* and *1993*, plays one of the Quadrumvirs who led the March on Rome and a general complicit in the Fascist regime’s violence.

• Gianmarco Vettori as Dino Grandi: Vettori portrays the ambitious young Fascist hierarch Grandi, who would later become a key figure in Mussolini’s downfall in 1943.

• Amedeo Gullà as Augusto Malacria: Gullà rounds out the cast, likely portraying one of the squadristi or key party members involved in the era’s political violence.