My Honest Review of The Binding on Netflix: When Italian Horror Meets Anthropology.
I’ve always been passionate about anthropology — and, I have to admit, about horror as well. That’s why I was genuinely intrigued when I came across The Binding on Netflix.
This is not just a film.
It feels… familiar.
There was something quietly unsettling — almost fascinating — about recognizing elements I had already encountered in my studies and personal readings, especially in Sud e magia.
Seeing those same atmospheres and beliefs translated onto the screen made me realize that this wasn’t simply fiction… but something deeply rooted in Italian culture.
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🌿 Southern Italy Between Reality and Mystery
The film is beautifully crafted. Its art direction is refined and restrained, never excessive, and easily comparable to international productions.
But what truly makes it special is its setting.
Southern Italy.
Olive trees.
Architecture.
Light.
All of these elements create an atmosphere that feels suspended in time, where the boundary between reality and tradition becomes almost invisible.
We may call it fantasy…
But in Italy, certain stories have never been just that.
The Binding manages to bring ancient beliefs into the present, adapting them to modern fears and emotional dynamics. And that’s exactly what makes it so compelling: it’s not just horror — it’s cultural storytelling.
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📖 From Study to Experience
Some of these traditions are not just things I’ve studied — they are things I’ve held in my hands.
Sud e magia by Ernesto De Martino has been a fundamental reading in my personal journey.
Find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/41HM6rD
Recognizing similar elements in the film made me realize how alive these traditions still are, even when they remain invisible.
*This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share books and resources that have genuinely inspired my work and personal journey.
And that is what makes the experience even more fascinating: what we are watching is not entirely invented, but something that emerges from deep cultural roots.
My books…
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✨ My Project: The Witches of Italy
This passion for anthropology — for observing, understanding, and interpreting human behavior — eventually led me to create something of my own.
I developed “The Witches of Italy: Secrets and Mysteries”, a project that brings together two worlds:
✔ the fascination of Italian traditions
✔ the creative pleasure of drawing and coloring
It is both:
👉 a relaxing coloring book
👉 a collection of stories and folklore
Find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QkfgdV
The stories are inspired by research and texts like Sud e magia, and they explore the more mysterious side of Italy — a world of symbols, rituals, and oral traditions passed down over generations.
It’s a different kind of experience:
you can color,
you can read,
you can immerse yourself…
and at the same time, learn something authentic.
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🎬 Is It Worth Watching?
If you enjoy horror that goes beyond simple scares,
If you’re drawn to tradition, mystery, and cultural depth,
I highly recommend watching The Binding.
And if you’d like to continue exploring the darker — and more fascinating — side of Italian culture,
I invite you to take a look at my book.
Ciao… and remember, some stories are closer to reality than we think.
Veronica 🧙