Netflix and Harlan Coben Deliver a Stronger, More Engaging Series This Time

“I Will Find You,” Netflix’s new adaptation of Harlan Coben, initially looks like another familiar Coben thriller, but it ends up working better than many of his previous screen versions. The review says the series stands out thanks to three parallel storylines and solid acting, making it an enjoyable binge despite its flaws.

The main complaint is that the show begins with a weak, odd, poorly explained trigger for the plot. It also overdoes exposition, with the characters constantly thinking out loud and spelling out every clue, suspicion, and idea instead of letting viewers follow along. In one awkward scene, an agent stares at a bloodstain and says, “This is a bloodstain.”

Even so, the reviewer says these problems did not make them stop watching, unlike some earlier Coben adaptations. The series feels more substantial because the intertwined plots add more sophistication and depth, and the characters are more interesting and complicated. The buildup to the climax and ending is described as delivering decent entertainment.

The reviewer concludes that “I Will Find You” is not perfect, but it is the first Netflix adaptation of a Coben book they managed to watch from beginning to end. If the clumsy dialogue had been better handled, or if the characters had simply been given less screen time, the show might have earned five stars.