I Will Find You: A Review of Netflix's Wheel-Spinning, Pulpy Harlan Coben Thriller
Netflix's latest limited series, I Will Find You, is a prime example of a show designed for distracted viewing. With its repetitive plot points, red herrings, and illogical resolutions, it's a thrilling yet frustrating watch. The series, adapted from Harlan Coben's book, stars Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, and a stellar ensemble cast. While the show's ensemble cast, including Milo Ventimiglia, Erin Richards, and Chi McBride, shines, the narrative itself is a tangled web of coincidences and exposition.
The story centers around David Burroughs, a father serving a life sentence for the murder of his son, a crime he denies. The series is filled with unexplained details, such as David's past as a law professor, which are never revisited. The plot thickens when Rachel, David's ex-wife's sister, visits him in prison and discovers a social media picture of a boy who resembles David's son. This sets off a chain of events, including David's prison break and the involvement of the FBI, led by the enigmatic Max Williams.
The series' structure is a complex web of overlapping exposition, creating multiple mini-plots that never quite converge. The repetition of names and information is almost comical, and the show's pacing is deliberately slow, allowing viewers to multitask while watching. However, this approach also leads to a lack of overall momentum, making the series feel more like a collection of standalone shows.
One of the most intriguing aspects of I Will Find You is the exploration of the Boston Globe's journalistic subplot, featuring Lower's character, Rachel. The show's portrayal of the newspaper's willingness to run fake news stories is a bold choice, but it also highlights the show's tendency to prioritize style over substance. The ensemble cast, including Ventimiglia and Richards, delivers strong performances, but the narrative's flaws often overshadow their efforts.
In conclusion, I Will Find You is a show that excels at being watched while doing other things, but it falls short in terms of narrative coherence. The series' reliance on repetition and coincidences makes it a thrilling yet frustrating experience. While the cast shines, the show's structure and pacing leave something to be desired. It's a reminder that sometimes, less is more when it comes to storytelling.
