Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can rest assured you're buying the best. Learn more about how we test.
Confirmed: The Getaway of Harlan Coben this is the most fun you can have on New Year's Eve without leaving the couch. Truth be told, it wouldn't be a holiday party if we didn't have a new Harlan Coben mystery waiting for us. Fool me once taking Netflix storm in 2024. I'm not a psychic, but I predict that the same thing will happen to Run away.
Why? We're returning to the tried-and-true formula of book adaptations after Prime Video's Lazarus by Harlan Coben in October. This is both a plus and a minus, depending on how you look at it, but when it comes to Coben's signature craft, we're in good hands.
Harlan Coben's Getaway turns a militant teen drama into a crime roller coaster you won't be able to take your eyes off.
Coben is approaching the stage where his fictional knowledge may rival history MCU or Lord of the RingsAnd Run away is no exception. If you watch all eight episodes in one sitting, not only will your brain snap in half (as mine did), but you may also need a police whiteboard to keep up with the explosive mystery and unfathomable plotlines.
It's this sense of immersion that has always made Coben's work the best, and pairing his writing style with a stellar cast who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty means you get streaming magic. James Nesbitt was born to play the estranged but naive father in the British crime drama, while Minnie Driver was given a slightly easier job, mostly from a hospital bed.
The most enjoyable addition here is Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft (although her character sounds like Harry Potter additional). The UK is particularly hell-bent on classifying Jones as nothing more than Nessa in Gavin and Staceyrarely paying attention to her varied existing works.
She might be a comedy queen, but Jones brings a kind of light-hearted relief to “Getaway” that nicely offsets Nesbitt's jumbled chaos.
“Sexy jerk” D.S. Fagbenle (Alfred Enoch) is another intriguing layer to the puzzle. He is incredibly reserved in his work, but the personal relationships he secretly develops make us want to delve into his mind and unravel the man we don't see properly. Even when we get answers to important questions, it's nice that something is hidden from us, especially when we don't have to spell it out.
How willing are you to give up your faith for a detective mystery?
The biggest problem with the mind-boggling mystery is when it starts to cross into ridiculous territory. For the first half Run awaythe drama seems grounded in reality. It is incredibly possible for a teenage girl to lose her life's direction to an abusive partner, causing her family to fall apart.
But when you start linking seemingly unrelated murders and cult behavior, things get a little more far-fetched. I know fictional drama doesn't have to stay true to life, but shows like this aren't soap operas either. Between episodes 5-8, I can imagine families all over the world saying to each other, “For God's sake, enough is enough.”
For the most part, I think Coben gets away with it… until the surprising final twist. Not only does the reveal feel incredibly unnecessary, but it also changes the entire tone of the story in the last few minutes. This is the secret that tells Run away beyond the bounds into the truly incredible, and perhaps a case of less is more would have made the ending more effective.
On the other hand, the overarching story's plot beats fit perfectly into Coben's formula, and it's either stoic and reliable, or more of the same. It's probably important to remember this Run away fits into the existing collection of puzzles, so some level of consistency is necessary. We're dealing with Coben's trademark drama here, and while some viewers might be put off by that, I think enough people will find comfort in knowing what to expect – in the broadest sense.
Where Lazarus faltered Run away glitters. I definitely think adapting the book to screen is a huge strength for Coben, providing a level of satisfaction that we were missing earlier this year. I was left dizzy throughout the entire viewing and it's safe to say I've never enjoyed watching a gruesome murder more.
Follow TechRadar on Google News. And add us as your preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the “Subscribe” button!
And of course you can also Follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxing videos and get regular updates from us on whatsapp too much.
