Everything Calls for Salvation is an apt title English title for the Italian Tutto Chiede Salvezza because this statement stands for the status of both the characters and their relationships with each other in the end. The series is loosely based on Daniele Mencarelli’s personal experiences as detailed in the novel of the same name.
Premiering on Netflix on October 14, 2022, the series was written and directed by Francesco Bruni, with its cast being led by Federico Cesari. Challenging the norms established by society and its idea of normalcy, the 7-episode show looks into the week spent by its protagonist at a psychiatric ward, where he meets several people dealing with their own issues. Regardless of how reluctant he is to join them initially, the eventually forming brotherhood is a heartfelt reminder of the power of human love and acceptance.
Netflix’s synopsis reads:
WHEN HE WAKES UP INVOLUNTARILY COMMITTED TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL, DANIELE HAS TO LEARN AGAIN HOW TO LIVE — AND LOVE — WITH THE HELP OF HIS FELLOW PATIENTS.
-Everything Calls for Salvation Ending Explained Contains Spoilers-
Everything Calls for Salvation Ending Explained
Each episode covers a particular day of the week at the ward. Even though the focus is majorly on Daniele’s development, the various fellow ward mates he meets along the journey make for his ultimate growth, especially Mario, who is presented almost like a father figure to him.
The bond between these ‘brothers’ is able to sustain itself due to the involvement of every single member present therein, even if a silent partaker in this relationship (as in the case of Alessandro). Mario was the most experienced and mature of all and was even highly regarded by the doctors of the facility. After his death, the group starts to fall apart. Giorgio’s past traumatic experience of having lost his mother surfaces upon being triggered by Mario’s demise. He loses his temper and the staff has to bear the brunt, following which, he is separated from his remaining roommates.
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Daniele’s stay is extended at the ward because of Nina’s attempted escape, after their night out on the terrace. Ultimately, both Nina and Gianlu confess their truths, with the former accepting that Daniele was being made to pay for her mistake, while the latter comes clean about having told on him to the nurse out of jealousy.
Everyone copes with Mario’s death in their own way, revealing the bridged gap between both the patients and their doctors. They’re all shown sharing the same boat when it comes to their loss, whether they would like to admit it or not.
Gianlu’s treatment is successful and he prepares to leave. Soon, Daniele’s time is also cut short as his doctor claims to have received approval for the same from her superiors. As a farewell gift, one of the nurses gives him a book of poetry she had meant to hand over to Mario originally.
Like his childhood, Daniele’s mother comes to pick him up as a surprise. On their way home, he pretends to go through her bag, looking for the lighter but slips his poem into her purse. An unsaid sense of relief and calm can be felt in the car between the two. Awaiting his return, his family organizes a welcoming soiree for Daniele. At the same time, Nina texts him, annoyed as she is for him ghosting her ever since their return back home.
Mario’s funeral approaches and ends up reuniting the entire hospital staff and some of the patients, who meet as visible equals this time unlike earlier at the ward premises. Daniele dedicates a few verses to Mario, while others who knew him are overcome with grief. The doctors thank him for his heartwarming gesture to the old man.
Daniele then invites Gianlu to the club to celebrate their comeback to their former normal lives. It happens to be the same club Nina had posted about on her Instagram and would be visiting as well. Bringing along the last joint of drugs in his possession, Daniele taunts and checks upon Nina’s condition and progress. And as expected, she’s worse than ever, already high on other substances. He calls out her pretense and points out that she’s not courageous enough to tell everyone the truth about her whereabouts in the last week. Later, she finally posts her confession about being suicidal and having been admitted to the psychiatric ward on her Instagram.
The two get together to make the deep dive which scared Daniele all along. While the two of them fret to take the plunge, they put all their lies behind and Nina confesses her thoughts on probably being pregnant. Though first shaken by the idea, Daniele happily extends his hand towards her as a gesture of acceptance and happiness and the series ends, having salvaged their relationship as well as their respective arcs.
Everything Calls for Salvation is now streaming on Netflix.
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I can’t think of any horror greater than this kind of loss of agency. Others literally picking apart your mind to remake you as they deem appropriate. This is a slavery that doesn’t even leave enough of you to resent your slavers. I’d rather die mentally ill as myself than be twisted and bent into someone else’s personality puppet.