Mafia Princess Returns

starring: JANE MURDOCH & NEVEN TOMIC

After years of torment and abuse from her mafia family, Francesca Adolfi is given a second chance at life when she’s sent back to age fourteen, the day she was brought back to her birth father. But this time, she’s not going to make the same mistakes. This time, she chooses to ally herself with the Adolfi’s disgraced eldest son, Enzo, and help him retake his place as heir…

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ah much better, this is how you tell a story and make a vertical.

And we have a strong female lead. HELL YES.

Francesca @janecm.verticals is brilliant. We don't spend long on the back story of the abuse, and instead the focus is very much on how she ensures she survives second time around. She isn't taken advantage of, no attempted SA, no shirt being ripped open. Instead she has balls of steel, calls Alexei Petrov's bluff and plays Russian roulette, is v good at pool and has some excellent scenes where she makes good use of a knife.

Honestly it is like hallelujah.

And also shows why @reelshortapp are currently winning the battle for best OG app to still produce live action content. Because they have not boxed themselves in with endless rules and data. And realized that story and narrative do have a place as well.

And this is short, strong and to the point as Francesca out manoeuvres her family and literally gets Enzo @neven_tomic back on his feet. And Neven is as consistently good as you would expect.

Again appreciate a vertical showing this takes a lot of physiotherapy and treatment and not a magical overnight transformation

And it is easy for everyone to shine when you have a coherent script

One of the best moments is the confrontation between Marco and Elisabetta when Marco realizes what she has done. You have a whole mini Lady Macbeth moment here in a single episode. It's superb, brilliant work from @hellocheryldent and @adamsmayfield

Also back in my Hallmark days I watched Adam in Matchmaker Santa, Sweet Surrender & Christmas Kiss 2. Kind of awesome seeing him in a vertical now, like bumping into an old acquaintance.

And we will get actors of this caliber if stories this good are made

Honestly top work team, this is very good

And huge thanks to @janemurdoch_ who gave me a nudge to watch it, I might have passed it by otherwise.

You will all be pleasantly surprised.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Refreshingly no romance here, instead it is all about the relationship between Francesca and her chosen dad Enzo. It’s very well done. It is made clear she is 14, we never go anywhere inappropriate, and instead have one of the best found father daughter relationships since Ayra & The Hound, and Ellie & Joel.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

The entire family are dreadful - but Elizabetta’s decision regarding her husband appalls even her son Marco. Superb scene with Adam Mayfield and Cheryl Dent.

😂 Comedy gold:

This is played straight, but there is something amusing about the visual of little Francesca picking up that giant gun, and all those poor henchmen having to stand there with apples on their heads.

🎺 Unsung hero:

It’s all about Alexei Petrov, tough negotiator, but once Francesca earns his respect a loyal ally.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Silvana Lazaro & Mojo Pena | 2026

Available on Reelshort