On May 27, Zerocalcare premieres on Netflix Due Spicci, an eight-episode series exploring the fragility of turning 42. The Roman author shows himself more vulnerable than ever, reflecting that life doesn't always offer happy endings and that friendship, sometimes, isn't enough. His goal is for viewers to feel less alone in the face of loneliness and uncertainty. The premiere in Rome gathered more than 10,000 fans.
The creative process behind the animation of Due Spicci 🎬
To bring this story to life, Zerocalcare has employed a 2D animation style with hand-drawn strokes that preserve the comic's texture. The production, handled by Movimenti Production, has used digital tools like Toon Boom Harmony to maintain visual fluidity without losing the sketch aesthetic. The team has prioritized character expressiveness over detailed backgrounds, using muted color palettes that reinforce the melancholic tone. Each episode required an average of 12 weeks of animation.
When the crisis of turning 42 catches you without savings or a plan B 😅
Zerocalcare reminds us that reaching 42 isn't like in the movies: you don't own a house, your WhatsApp group is silent, and your biggest achievement of the day is remembering where you left your keys. The series suggests that if your plan was to live off friendship and mortadella sandwiches, it's time to rethink the strategy. At least, seeing others in the same situation makes loneliness feel like a group discount.