The City of the Living

The City of the Living (2026)



La città dei vivi

6.2 2026 103 min —

Director: Edoardo Gabbriellini

Cast: Emanuele Maria Di Stefano, Valerio Mastandrea, Simona Senzacqua, Roberta Mattei, Gaia Merlonghi

Drama Thriller
At twenty-three, Luca is navigating a world that feels both full of possibility and haunted by uncertainty. Loved by the adoptive family who raised him, he moves between the suburbs and the city center with his friends, sharing a young but deeply meaningful love with his girlfriend. As he searches for his place in life, Luca leads a double existence—until one night, a seemingly random encounter shatters his path and plunges him into a collision with blind, senseless violence.

More About This Film

The City of the Living is an Italian drama adapted from Nicola Lagioia's acclaimed novel. The story follows Luca, a young man living between Rome's suburbs and city center while trying to understand his place in life, relationships and adulthood.

Edoardo Gabbriellini treats the material as a character-driven portrait of youth and the fragility of ordinary lives. Emanuele Maria Di Stefano leads the cast, alongside Gaia Merlonghi, Simona Senzacqua, Roberta Mattei and Valerio Mastandrea.

  • The original Italian title is La città dei vivi.
  • Directed by Edoardo Gabbriellini.
  • Based on Nicola Lagioia's novel of the same name.
  • Produced by Eagle Pictures, Cinemaundici and Lungta Film.
  • Selected for the Orizzonti section of the 2026 Venice Film Festival and the Centrepiece program at TIFF 2026.

Where to Watch

The City of the Living is entering theatrical and arthouse distribution, with digital availability expected to differ between territories.