The recent Rotten Tomatoes ratings for Netflix’s Missing You have escalated the stakes for the next Harlan Coben series slated for 2025. Directed by Sean Spencer, the plot revolves around Kat Donovan, a detective whose life unravels when she spots her long-lost fiancé, Josh, on a dating app—a shocking turn of events occurring 11 years after his unexplained disappearance. This unexpected reunion not only forces Kat to confront her turbulent past but also intertwines with a new revelation regarding her father’s unresolved murder case.
This miniseries is a fresh take on Coben’s 2014 novel and adds to the growing repertoire of his works adapted for the small screen. Starring talents such as Rosalind Eleazar, Jessica Plummer, and Richard Armitage, Missing You invites viewers to engage with a narrative filled with unforeseen challenges and deeper implications surrounding the characters’ investigations. While audiences were eager to see this adaptation follow the successful footsteps of previous Coben series, the critical reception has been lukewarm, raising concerns as the next series approaches.
Missing You’s Rotten Tomatoes Score: A Significant Letdown
Critical Reception: Only 50% Approval on Rotten Tomatoes
Released one year following Fool Me Once, another successful Harlan Coben adaptation, Missing You has stumbled in the ratings. While Fool Me Once garnered acclaim for its captivating performances and intricate storytelling—ranking among the top 10 most-watched Netflix series with 98.2 million viewers—the latest offering has not met expectations. As of now, Missing You holds just a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 18 critic reviews, in stark contrast to the 71% received by Fool Me Once.
Currently, audience feedback aligns with the critics’ views, as Missing You has only achieved a 31% audience score, highlighting the disconnect between expectations and execution. This performance has intensified scrutiny on the forthcoming 2025 adaptation.
Examining the Negative Feedback for Missing You
Concerns Regarding Narrative and Character Development
The original 2014 novel is celebrated as one of Coben’s finest, admired for its emotional depth and rollercoaster of drama intertwined with significant character growth. Critics praised the plot twists that anchored the story and positioned Kat as a sympathetic and believable protagonist (as cited from Bookkeeper). Initially, there were plans for a film adaptation shortly after the novel’s release, but the Netflix series ultimately took shape in 2024.
Despite some positive audience reactions regarding faithfulness to the source material, Missing You has faced critique regarding its character arcs, reliance on numerous plot twists, and overall writing quality. Critics have characterized the show as losing its way, stating that it deviates too far from its foundational narrative (as referenced by RogerEbert). Although actors Rosalind Eleazar and Ashley Walters deliver commendable performances, it still isn’t sufficient to elevate Missing You above the disappointingly low-ranking adaptations in Coben’s portfolio.
Upcoming Harlan Coben Adaptations Face Increased Pressure
Next In Line: Caught, Set for Release in 2025
Missing You is the latest addition to Netflix’s adaptation initiative, stemming from Harlan Coben’s deal established in 2018. In March 2024, it was revealed that Coben’s 2010 work, Caught, will soon follow, premiering in 2025. This series will feature a cast including Soledad Villamil, Alberto Ammann, and Juan Minujín, and will be filmed across Argentina. Notably, this adaptation will be produced in Spanish and focus on journalist Ema Garay’s investigation into a young girl’s disappearance in Patagonia (as reported by DigitalSpy).
Richard Armitage, a recurrent star in Coben adaptations, marks his fourth appearance with this series, having previously been cast in The Stranger (2020), Stay Close (2021), and Fool Me Once (2024). With Missing You‘s underwhelming critical performance, significant expectations now rest on Caught to deliver an engaging adaptation that recaptures viewer interest through a balance of plot intricacies and character storytelling. As Missing You has raised alarms regarding Coben’s adaptations, the upcoming series must aim for better reception to keep audiences invested in future Netflix projects.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Bookkeeper, RogerEbert, DigitalSpy
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