Run Away: Should you watch or skip the latest Harlan Coben crime thriller adaptation on Netflix

Run Away is available on Netflix, and it is the latest adaptation of Harlan Coben's novel by the platform. It was developed as an eight-part limited series, and thus, Netflix has once again partnered up with the huge crime novelist whose stories are certainly familiar to viewers.

Just like in the case of previous adaptations, the series is accompanied by a lot of attention, early critics’ responses, and, of course, comparisons to other Coben titles.

The show received mixed to positive reviews from critics up until the present time. The early Rotten Tomatoes scores indicated that the series was at about 83% based on a limited number of reviews, thus giving only cautious approval rather than overwhelming praise.

The show has shifted the discussion surrounding it from anticipation to evaluation as more reviews have been released, raising a familiar question for viewers: Is Run Away worth watching, or should it be skipped?

What is Run Away about?

Run Away tells a story that could easily be considered a standard example of Harlan Coben's novels. The main idea is a father's journey to find his lost daughter, which at first looked like an easy case but soon turned into a very dark and complicated investigation.

The uncovering of hidden truths is closely linked to the search, and the narrative expands to include aspects of crime, dishonesty, and moral conflict. Such a story would be quite recognizable to a Coben reader; however, unlike his other works, the show draws more from suspense, trickery, and gradual storytelling than from dynamic plotlines of heavy action.

The very first episode of the series is slow in pace, yet it gradually, but surely, unveils the mystery and reveals its plot twists.

Critical reception

Post-release reviews indicate that Run Away is a perfect fit for the previously mentioned Harlan Coben adaptation formula.

The review admits that although the series may not interest many, it is not very realistic and may even be monotonous at times, it is still, nevertheless, a delight to watch because of the twists that keep on coming and the easy-to-follow narration.

The critics have been saying that it is a miracle and a blessing in terms of coincidences and story convenience. Sometimes, the plot takes such a turn that it becomes unbelievable, and character motivations are sometimes not clear.

Still, these same factors are what make the series appealing to those who do not want to get emotionally involved but love fast-moving mysteries; they can just binge it.

Performances and cast assessment

At the head of the cast is James Nesbitt, who can be regarded as the one who has kept the show afloat through his performance, which, after all, is one of the most praised aspects of Run Away.

Critics are of the opinion that he endows the role of a seemingly stereotypical character with a certain degree of seriousness. His performance is a major factor in the setting of the series, even if the story is becoming more and more intricate.

Minnie Driver is in a supporting role and has been a subject of more measured but still positive reviews. The critics have observed that although her time on the screen is not very extensive, she performs in a subdued and serious manner.

The other supporting characters, along with their respective side plots from the criminal world involving the main villain and the secondary one, have received diverse critiques; some have made the story more interesting, while others have remained undeveloped and thus uninteresting.

Strengths of Run Away

Run Away, when looked at from a neutral perspective, manages to present some clear strengths:

Bingeable presentation: Eight episodes are convenient to watch and do not require a long commitment.

Engaging story elements: Each of the successive episodes has a plot development at the end meant to keep the audience interested.

Coben’s familiar style: It will be hard for the fans of earlier adaptations not to notice the style right away.

Lead actor doing a competent job: James Nesbitt really supports the show powerfully.

In case you are one of the viewers who like mystery shows focusing predominantly on twists, the show is definitely a show for you.

Weaknesses and criticisms

However, Run Away indeed has major drawbacks that will affect the decisions of the viewers about watching it or not:

The structure is easily predictable: Those who have been Coben viewers for a long time will probably guess most of the twists.

Unbelievable plot twists: Moments where critics pointed out that logic was sacrificed for surprise happened.

Insignificant character development: Several supporting characters are there only to serve the plot.

Thematic lightness: The show explores the story's topic at a fast pace, avoiding the depths of emotional or social insights.

All these criticisms are in line with the general reception to the majority of Netflix Coben adaptations, where usually the entertainment value is the main point at the expense of the narrative subtlety.

How Run Away compares to other Harlan Coben adaptations

Within Netflix's Harlan Coben portfolio, Run Away is positioned as a solid middle. It does not attain the critical summits of The Innocent or Stay Close, which both received accolades for better storytelling and tighter execution. Still, it is better off than some later entries that had difficulty with pacing and coherence.

The Rotten Tomatoes score supports this positioning: it is a decent one, but not exceptional. It seemed like it was set right around the viewer's expectations.

Should you watch or skip Run Away?

The reply to the above question highly relies on your likes and dislikes.

You might consider checking out Run Away if:

You are among the fans of Harlan Coben's adaptations and already have a certain level of expectation about it.
You want something more in the lines of fast-moving mysteries rather than character-driven dramas.
You are in for a short crime series that you can binge-watch quickly.

On the other hand, you might want to pass on Run Away if:

You are worn out with thrillers that follow the same pattern.
You prefer crime stories that are told realistically.
You are looking for stories that are emotionally complex or innovative.

It is worth mentioning that Run Away is neither a big success nor a total failure. It is, rather, a pleasant distraction operating within the genre's limits and without reinventing it.

Run Away is something Netflix could credit to its account under the recently increased number of Harlan Coben adaptations. The series serves suspense, twists, and a familiar pattern that will attract the genre's followers, while the moderation of its issues, out-of-the-world plot, and lack of depth in character portrayal will keep some viewers at bay.

Eventually, it can be characterized as an optional watch: it is a series that suits you if you are already into this kind of crime thriller, but at the same time, if you choose to skip it, you won't miss a significant piece of TV history.

Also read: Run Away: Release date news, cast details, streaming details and more about the Netflix adaptation of Harlan Coben’s novel