Netflix’s adaptation of Lord of the Flies tells a story of a group of schoolboys that has been stranded on an island due to their plane crashing. They are left with no adults to guide them, which is why they must lay the foundation for a civil society. They do this by allocating tasks to each other, whether it is building shelters, hunting, or keeping the signal fire alive. However, tensions arise as some of the boys begin to succumb to their fears. Lord of the Flies consists of themes of the nature of evil, the loss of innocence, and the desire for power and control.
The performance from all of the actors in the Netflix version was outstanding, most notably the actors who played Jack and Ralph. The actors who portrayed Jack and Ralph were able to successfully display the complex power dynamic between the two characters that created tension throughout the episodes. Ralph serves as a symbol of order and structure among the boys, while Jack conversely represents tyranny and abuse of power. Overall, all of the actors in Lord of the Flies added depth and emotion to the overall story.
The series was also visually appealing with the island staying very true to the novel. On the island, viewers are able to see the large mountain where the boys keep the signal fire, which is a crucial part of the story. The cinematography is very well done since it keeps the viewers glued to their screens as the suspense builds up. Additionally, the soundtrack plays a major role in ensuring that the tension is felt by the audience. Hasika Potluri (12) says, “As I was watching the series, I realized that everything was exactly how I envisioned it because the creators remained true to the story.”
Furthermore, the new series also expanded on the pasts of the main characters. It especially delves into Jack’s backstory, which explains the actions that he takes on the island since he struggles with processing his complex relationship with his father. Ralph also has an emotional backstory revolving around his avoidance of his grieving father after the loss of his mother. Piggy is also given a deep love for the Marx brothers which makes him an even more wholesome character. “I really loved the small additions that they made to the characters’ backstories back home because it allows the audience to have a further understanding of their decisions on the island,” explains Carter Gaiss (12).
Overall, the new Netflix adaptation of Lord of the Flies allows the audience to take in the original themes from the novel while adding new scenes and flashbacks. It continues to explore themes of human nature and natural desires.
