Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You’ – 13th Netflix adaptation, but the formula remains unchanged
Netflix has released another Harlan Coben novel adaptation, the eight-part thriller ‘I Will Find You’ starring Sam Worthington and Britt Lower. Critics note that the series follows the familiar Coben formula but is ‘maddeningly watchable’.
Netflix continues to fulfill its 14-book deal with author Harlan Coben, and the latest release is the 13th adaptation – an eight-part series titled ‘I Will Find You’. Unlike most previous Coben adaptations set in Europe, the new series moves the action to the United States.
The series centers on David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), who is serving a life sentence in a Maine prison for the murder of his young son, despite being innocent. His former sister-in-law – and disgraced investigative journalist – Rachel Mills (Britt Lower) arrives with a photograph of a child bearing the same birthmark as David’s son, suggesting the boy may still be alive.
The plot unfolds into a global conspiracy as David and Rachel go on the run, trying to uncover the truth. They encounter numerous red herrings and plot holes, which critics describe as ‘palpable cobblers’. However, the series is ‘maddeningly watchable’, compelling viewers to continue watching the next episode to find out what happens.
Critics note that Coben’s adaptations have become a formula – someone is missing, someone else is wrongly accused, the police are inept or corrupt, and characters speak in staccato sentences meant to convey urgency but instead sound like they’ve just returned from Zumba. Despite this, the series is engaging enough to keep viewers hooked until the end.
Coben’s deal with Netflix covers 14 novels, so one more adaptation is expected. Meanwhile, the author has also signed a deal with Amazon, meaning Coben’s thriller era on television could continue for a long time.
