Considered one of the masters of the contemporary thriller, Harlan Coben stands out as a true architect of suspense and mystery. Author of 36 novels translated into 43 languages, he has attracted millions of readers around the world. And his success also came to life on screen: Don’t tell anyoneadapted for the cinema by Guillaume Canet in 2006, and The Strangerseries released in 2020, confirmed its status as a literary and audiovisual phenomenon.
The writer returns to Netflix with I miss you (Missing You in original version), a mini-series in six episodes adapted from his eponymous novel published in 2014. Available from 1is January, this new production marks a notable change: the plot, initially located in the United States, settles in the foggy landscapes of Manchester, England. Between disturbing disappearances, buried secrets and quest for truth, the work perpetuates the essence of the author’s flagship stories while continuing the fruitful collaboration between Coben and the streaming platform.
A spellbinding intrigue in the heart of England
In this adaptation, the story follows Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), a police detective haunted by a painful past. Eleven years after the unexplained disappearance of her fiancé, Josh, her life is turned upside down when she comes across his profile on a dating app. This unexpected discovery revives old wounds and plunges her into two personal investigations: tracking down Josh and solving the unsolved murder of her father, a former officer.
The series uses the unique setting of Manchester with finesse. Between the red bricks of the old industrial buildings and a perpetually overcast sky, this setting gives the plot a dark and realistic visual dimension. Far from the New York frenzy described in the novel, this British setting reinforces an atmosphere that is as intimate as it is oppressive.
A cleverly woven plot
I miss you is a carefully crafted treasure hunt. The three main storylines – Josh’s disappearance, Clint Donovan’s murder, and a parallel investigation into a kidnapped college professor – subtly intertwine. Each episode distils clues, blurring the lines and plunging the viewer into a quest for truth. This six-episode format, concise and rhythmic, manages to maintain constant tension without unnecessary digressions.
The secondary characters bring real substance to the plot. Friends, colleagues or suspects, each plays a specific role in this narrative scaffolding. Overall, the actors play their roles with accuracy and conviction, delivering credible performances. However, none really transcend the screen, with the notable exception of James Nesbitt as Calligan, who only appears on screen for a few minutes.
A neat, but classic creation
Visually, the Netflix series seduces with its careful aesthetic. The photography skilfully plays with the contrasts between the industrial landscapes of Manchester, the intimate interior settings and a wild, almost desert English countryside. These choices reinforce an atmosphere that is both oppressive and immersive, while the flashbacks integrate harmoniously with contemporary sequences to immerse the viewer in the complex world of Kat Donovan.
However, despite a solid staging and an effective soundscape, I miss you remains anchored in the classic codes of the thriller: a tormented heroine, deeply buried lies and mysterious disappearances. If the sustained pace maintains attention until the end, certain revelations, although relevant, sometimes lack subtlety, particularly in the final outcome which seems slightly forceful.
Good winter entertainment
Rosalind Eleazar plays Kat with an accuracy that brings real emotional depth to the character. Despite everything, the story never really strays from the beaten track. The plots, well woven, unfold with methodical precision, but lack the audacity or singularity that could have elevated the series to the rank of essential.
Ultimately, the adaptation of Coben’s novel fulfills its role as winter entertainment: a dark and well-crafted thriller, perfect for fans of family mysteries and calibrated twists. If it does not revolutionize the genre, this mini-series will please fans of the master of crime fiction and offer a captivating moment, if not memorable.
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