If you are looking for a powerful and dramatic series , this movie is definitely the one for you. It dives deep into the darker corners of ancient Rome. It is not just a historical drama. It Is a thriller that blend of power struggles, betrayal, ambition, slavery, family, and survival. A mixture of fictional storytelling with elements inspired by history is the best description of the movie, giving it a unique touch that kept me watching episode after episode without taking a break.
Emperor Vespasianus, a powerfull roman emperor is the story line of the movie, during his reign, an aging Roman emperor faced with a major decision: which of his two sons will succeed him. One son, Titus, is a noble warrior known for his affair with a Jewish queen, a relationship that many in Rome frown upon. On the other hand , we can see Domitian, is a reckless gambler who misuses the empire’s resources to fuel his dangerous habits. The root of many problems in the story can be traced to the struggle of power between these two brothers , especially as others begin to manipulate the situation for their own gain.
Tenax, a smart and ambitious man who has worked his way up from nothing is one of those who saw this as an opportunity to climb the ladder of success. Now the owner of one of Rome’s largest betting centers, Tenax dreams of becoming one of the top leaders in the city. He teams up with Domitian and sees an opportunity to climb even higher in power, even if it means helping Domitian kill his brother Titus after their father’s death.
Almost every character in the story was affected by this decisions which brings a dangerous wave of events.
The emotional journey of Cala, an African woman who is working outside Rome to support her children is being told by the show. Everything changes for her family when her daughter Aura kills a Roman guard to protect her sister.
Jula ,and Her elder sister Aura are taken to Rome as slaves, and Cala follows, determined to bring them back. But in a twist of fate, her son Kwame also ends up in Rome with a trader. One by one, each family member becomes trapped in the system of slavery, violence, and politics.
Aura begins working with Tenax and later under the powerful Consul Marsus, while Cala tries to gather the money to buy her daughters' freedom. Kwame, on the other hand, gets caught up in the brutal world of gladiators. His transformation into a fierce fighter is both heartbreaking and inspiring. You can’t help but wonder if this family will survive Rome or if Rome will destroy the people they used to be.
One of the most impressive things about Those About To Die is how all the stories slowly connect.
Visually, the show is stunning. Starting from the set design, costumes, and effects was nothing short of awesome. For me , the battles looked so real, and the ancient Roman world feels alive and dangerous. I know some scenes were made using special effects, but the quality is so good that it doesn’t look fake at all.
The acting is also impressive.
Every actor played their role very well
Tenax’s confidence, Cala’s strength, Kwame’s transformation, and Domitian’s madness were portrayed in such a real and emotional way. The characters felt like real people, and I actually cared about what happened to them.
I would rate this show 8 out of 10.
Why ? Because it was so emotional , intense , and full of suspense.
I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it this much, but it turned out to be one of the best shows I’ve watched in recent times.
If you enjoy shows about power, survival, family, and betrayal, then Those About To Die is worth watching. Just be ready for a wild and emotional ride.