Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
The series starts with Versace being murdered by who we later find is called Andrew Cunanan. Pretty soon we are told that this is not the first murder that Andrew has done and there have been a series of murders behind this. In a series of flashbacks, the story gets unfolded layer by layer. Andrew had an encounter with Versace seven years ago and since then he can't stop bragging about it. Uber handsome and very intelligent and charming, Andrew is always the heart of a party. In the next few episodes, we see who Andrew really is and the details of how and why he murders Chicago real estate developer Lee Miglin (Lee used to hire Andrew as an escort); his old friend Jeff Trail by hammer blow while he is living with his boyfriend Daniel. Daniel is the only person whom according to Andrew , he truly loved even while he was escorting with older gentlemen. But having witnessed murder of Jeff by Andrew, It shakes up Daniel completely and eventually Andrew kills Daniel as well. And now the hunt begins for him especially after a high profile murder. In between all this, we all see the issues and relationships between Versace and his sister Donatella and Versace with his lover Antonio of 13 years, the first person to find Versace's body. When finally authorities corner in Andrew, he shoots himself.
The series was very engaging. I personally love crime thrillers and having no knowledge of these events, i thoroughly enjoyed watching the series. Having said this, the central character was indeed Andrew Cunanan and not Versace. I think it was only 3-4 episodes that focused on Versace, who by the way was shown according to me a very simple yet boring man. I would have expected the man to have more colour and drama but anyway. Most other episodes focussed on Cunanan and his story and history and the other murders he had done, the who's and why's of it all. The lack of Versace's character was more than made up by the absolutely brilliant portrayal of Andrew Cunanan. I mean the actor has done such a splendid job, you just cant take you eyes of him. Be it his love for Daniel, or all the times he escorts with older gentlemen, the way he dances when he is alone, the way he tries to charm Versace or impress his father. He is just brilliant throughout. Penelope Cruz and Ricky Martion as Donatella and Antonio were strictly ok according to me. To be honest they didn't really have much to do but Ricky Martin felt was struggling in his scenes. Cunanan was gay and how he struggled to keep a lavish lifestyle without having to ever work was the brilliance that his mind had. The series end made me have fixed feelings. I felt “Is this it?” But at the same time, I’m not sure what else there could be.
As I mentioned before, the series doesn't come close to season 1 about OJ Simpson and the ride of the series is uneven and bumpy. But i am always a sucker for stories including string gay characters and backdrops and this series more than made up for this. (7/10)
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