The new Netflix series Missing You, which premiered on January 1, 2025, adapts the work of bestselling author Harlan Coben. The show revolves around Detective Kat Donovan, portrayed by Rosalind Eleazar, who unexpectedly discovers her long-lost fiancé on a dating app over ten years after his mysterious disappearance. This intriguing premise has captured the attention of many viewers, but not without mixed reviews.
Initially launched as one of the first offerings on Netflix's 2025 schedule, Missing You entered the streaming scene with potential, riding on Coben's track record of generating popular adaptations. Currently, the series is rated No. 2 on Netflix's Top 10, demonstrating it has garnered significant viewer interest. Yet, this popularity contrasts sharply with its rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds just 50% from critics and even more concerning, only 31% from audiences. This stark divergence raises questions: what is it about the show that's appealing enough for viewers to tune in yet disappointing enough to warrant such low scores?
According to insights from CinemaBlend, the disappointing audience rating has dampened the initial excitement surrounding the series. "Missing You may not be getting good reviews from fans and critics alike, but... I'll be giving it a chance, and maybe you should too," they noted, reflecting a common sentiment among fans who are still hopeful about the potential of the series.
Critics have expressed their own frustrations. Dustin Rowles of TV pointedly remarked on Coben's Netflix offerings, stating, "I have come to begrudgingly admire the annual Harlan Coben Netflix series. They are humorless, devoid of real character development, feature rote (if not wooden) acting, and are entirely forgettable once they end." Rowles admits to watching every series, though he finds them interchangeable and forgettable. Despite the critiques, he acknowledged the unique appeal of Missing You, considering it distilled down to just five episodes. Perhaps its brevity encourages viewers to settle in for its full offering.
The storyline crafted within Missing You features two central arcs. Detective Kat Donovan, returning to solve the mysteries surrounding several disappearances, finds herself entangled with her past when she matches with her ex-fiancé, Josh Buchanan, on the dating app, stirring both hope and deep questions. Not only is Josh re-entering her life, but he's now connected to one of the other missing women—adding complexity to the investigation.
Further complicity lies within the second major storyline of Donovan reopening her father’s unsolved murder case, which interweaves back to her recent developments. Rowles breaks down the narrative effectively, stating, "the dog breeder created [a fake profile] to catfish victims, luring them to his property, where he extorted their bank details, murdered them, and cremated their remains." This blend of cyber-dangers, mystery, and personal histories creates fodder for what was expected to be another gripping Coben-driven narrative, yet the execution feels off for many viewers.
While the basic narrative structure shows promise, critics like Rowles have noted the lack of depth—a frequent complaint leveled at Coben's adaptations. The blend of straightforward plotlines with what some perceive as simplistic character development stirs debate about whether audiences are willing to overlook flaws for the sake of entertainment. This series has its ensemble cast, including Jessica Plummer and Richard Armitage, but even the strong acting abilities have been overshadowed by its writing.
Despite the largely unsanctioned reception from critics and audiences, it seems the presence of Rosalind Eleazar as the lead may be prompting some viewers to keep watching. With her solid performance from previous projects, like Slow Horses, viewers respect her ability to breathe life even where the script falters. One can hope audiences remain curious about where Kat's pursuit leads, encouraging conversations about love, loss, and the nature of family secrets.
Going beyond just Missing You, as we glance toward 2025, other Netflix projects loom on the horizon, fueling anticipation for shows like the final season of Stranger Things and the second season of Wednesday. Perhaps Coben’s adaptations serve as mere placeholders, as viewers eagerly await other series capable of capturing both imagination and intellect. It remains to be seen whether Missing You can evolve beyond its current ratings, but the inherent intrigue of the plot still offers something worth watching, even if some viewers might wait to catch it later.