Fool Me Once’: Harlan Coben Netflix Shows Ranked, Worst to Best
1. The Five (2016) – Beginning our rankings at the bottom is “The Five”. This show revolves around a group of friends haunted by the disappearance of the younger brother of one of them 20 years prior. While “The Five” is not without its twists and turns, it’s generally considered less compelling in comparison to Coben’s other adaptations, with some criticism aimed at its pacing and complex subplots.
2. Safe (2018) – Next on our list is “Safe”. This series involves a pediatric surgeon and widowed father whose teenage daughter goes missing. Set within a gated community, it uncovers multiple secrets among its inhabitants. “Safe,” starring Michael C. Hall, offers up plenty of suspense, but some might find the resolution less satisfying than Coben’s other work.
3. The Stranger (2020) – Taking the middle spot is “The Stranger”. This one features a mysterious woman who reveals secrets to various people that have a ripple effect on their lives. It interweaves several storylines effectively and keeps viewers guessing until the end. However, it doesn’t quite hit the highest marks for some viewers due to what can be perceived as overcomplicated storytelling.
4. Stay Close (2021) – “Stay Close” challenges for the top spot with its tale of three individuals each concealing dark secrets that are connected by a missing persons case years earlier. Met with generally positive reviews for its strong character development and gripping mystery, this miniseries has been praised as one of Coben’s more engaging adaptations.
5. The Innocent (2021) – Topping our list is “The Innocent” (“El Inocente”). Diving into the life of an accidental murderer who served time for his crime, this show captivates with layers of intrigue as he tries to move past his dark history only to be pulled back into a web of new mysteries. This Spanish series garners acclaim for its intriguing narrative structure, character depth, and unpredictable nature, making it perhaps the finest Harlan Coben adaptation on Netflix to date.
In conclusion, while all these series highlight Harlan Coben’s knack for crafting intricate mysteries that keep us binge-watching, some stand out more than others in terms of narrative execution and viewer reception. Whether you agree with this ranking or have your own list, each series undoubtedly provides a dose of spine-tingling suspense that has come to be expected from Coben’s stories.