Parents' Guide to

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Fashion icon murder tale limits facts, moves slow.

TV FX Drama 2018
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

QueenE721
QueenE721 Adult
May 6, 2020
age 15+

Great show but jumps around a lot

The show is great but it jumps around a lot from the time he kills Versace to before he even started killing. Doesn’t go in order. Good acting but I got annoyed several times by the main character, Andrew Cunanan. He would act like he cared about everyone else but in reality he only did “generous things” to boost his self esteem and make himself look better in other people’s eyes. He lies a lot to make himself look better. Most characters had flaws but all good acting and a good story to it, besides it being in a jumbled order. Wouldn’t recommend for younger kids just due to the violence and a couple nude scenes here and there.
landrillo4
landrillo4 Parent of 13-year-old
June 12, 2019
age 13+

Interesting but Slow

This series takes a lot of creative license and at times can be super slow. Honestly, unless you like watching a serial killer commit heinous acts from killing a person with a screwdriver to emotionally manipulating someone over the course of 9 excruciatingly long hour episodes, then this show is not for you. It starts from Versace's murder then makes it way back to the beginning . Actually, now that I think about it, this series is disturbing and won't hold your interest. The only positive is the cinematography is pretty good.
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What's the Story?

THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AN AMERICAN CRIME STORY, the second season of the American Crime Story franchise, is inspired by the real life and death of fashion designer Gianni Versace (Édgar Ramírez) and that of his murderer. It begins with the events of July 15, 1997, when Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss) fatally shoots the fashion icon on the steps of his Miami mansion. What follows is a look into the lives of both men, including the killer's history as a pathological liar, and Versace's alleged sexual exploits, despite his long-term relationship with Antonio D'Amico (Ricky Martin). It also chronicles the events that transpired after his murder, including the nine-day national FBI search for Cunanan, who was wanted for several deaths around the country, and the efforts of Versace's sister, Donatella (Penelope Cruz), ito immediately protect the business interests of the House of Versace.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (5 ):

This melodramatic and somewhat exploitative series offers an interpretation of both Versace's and Cunanan's life based on documented and imagined events. It's hard to figure out the motive for the murder, but it's interesting to see some of the mistakes made by the FBI due to the homophobic sentiments of the time, which made it possible for the killer to reach the designer after committing several homicides. However, much of the story seems entrenched in colorful rumors, including the connection between the two men, the truth of which remains impossible to determine.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace can get a little slow at times, but still manages to smoothly re-create and intertwine each man's distinctive life story despite the frequent use of flashbacks. Some viewers may not appreciate the creative license taken by the show's producers or its obvious focus on the characters' allegedly hedonistic lifestyles, while others may not care what's fact and what's fiction as long as it's fun to watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the role Gianni Versace played in fashion and in popular culture. What is it about his designs that made him stand out?

  • How do you tell a story like The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, where there are as many questions as answers? Do you think this show did a good job of re-creating history?

TV Details

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