Scripted

On the opening day of Series Mania’s Co-Pro Pitch, Titanus Production unveiled one of the most intriguing and genre-bending projects of this year’s slate: Phenomena – The Series. The project was presented by Costanza Giannelli and Simone Gandolfo, with a story by Nicola Guaglianone and Menotti. Inspired by Dario Argento’s cult 1985 film Phenomena, the new series reinvents the eerie charm of the original into a fresh, stylish, and pop-thriller teen drama aimed at Gen Z and young millennials.

Set in the beautiful city of Cortina d'Ampezzo, the series is a visual and emotional rollercoaster, nestled between dream and nightmare. In winter, Cortina glows like a postcard: high-end ski resorts, glowing chalets, and an elite fencing academy that draws ambitious teens from around the globe - said Simone Gandolfo - In summer, it transforms into a haven of emerald lakes and wildflower meadows. But beneath this perfect Alpine façade lies something darker—something that stirs when the sun goes down. 

At the center of the story is 17-year-old Jennifer Corvino, a moody American teen who couldn’t be more out of place in Cortina’s glossy, high-performance world. While others dream of belonging to the prestigious fencing school, Jennifer would rather be anywhere else—especially since she harbors a bizarre and embarrassing gift: she has a psychic connection with insects. To Jennifer, it’s more curse than power. And the town quickly agrees. Her classmates dub her “Bug Girl” after a series of disturbing incidents, including a violent wasp attack that leaves her the only unscathed student, and an unsettling night when her bed is found crawling with spiders.

The bullying is relentless, the pressure at school is sky-high, and Jennifer struggles to navigate her outsider status. But Cortina isn’t just tough—it’s dangerous. When her classmate Sandrine disappears one night, dragged away by a black-gloved figure, fear begins to infect the picturesque town. And when the body of a student who vanished the year before is discovered, the fear escalates.

As panic spreads, two detectives—an idealistic couple juggling a newborn and the demands of a chilling case—are drawn into the mystery. Their investigation leads them to Jennifer, who must decide whether to keep hiding her strange powers or embrace them to survive. Because as more disappearances occur, one thing becomes clear: Jennifer is the next target. And in a town cloaked in secrets, the real villain may still be lurking in the shadows.

Phenomena – The Series is a high-concept 8-episode project (50 minutes each), designed for today’s digital-native audiences. Blending mystery thriller, and teen drama, the show channels a distinct visual language inspired by the Argento aesthetic, paired with the retro-glamour of Armani-styled costumes and the emotional urgency of contemporary adolescence.

What makes this reboot stand out is its commitment to honoring the original film’s cult DNA while reimagining it for a new generation. The creative team’s ambition is clear: to make Phenomena as iconic now as it was in 1985—complete with style, scares, and a touch of blood.

“Sometimes what you think is a defect is actually an effect,” the creators stated during the pitch. Phenomena – The Series is ultimately a coming-of-age story wrapped in suspense and supernatural thriller—a tale about embracing your weirdness and discovering that your greatest weakness might be your most powerful strength.