East of Eden (2026)

Travers calls the adaptation magnificent, smart, and richly provocative. He especially praises Florence Pugh’s commanding performance and the nuanced portrayal of Cathy Ames.

The critic calls the series an astounding adaptation and says it sets a towering new standard for literary TV adaptations. They single out Florence Pugh’s career-best performance as Cathy and praise Hoon Lee as the family’s anchor.

Nugent finds the adaptation excellent and elegant, though some early episodes and less experienced actors falter. He especially praises Florence Pugh’s layered performance as Cathy and Hoon Lee’s soulful turn as Lee.

VanArendonk finds that the miniseries’ considerable ambition ultimately outweighs its uneven treatment of Cathy and Adam. She especially praises Hoon Lee’s tender performance and the series’ attention to his character’s life and purpose.

The review presents the adaptation as a gorgeously faithful, glossy retelling of the classic novel. It singles out Florence Pugh’s lead performance and the adaptation’s faithfulness for praise.

Mangan calls the series brilliant, compelling entertainment as a family saga, but says it lacks the heft for a deeper examination of human nature. She praises its lavish visuals and strong performances, while finding Cathy less fully developed than the men around her.

Herman finds the adaptation worth watching despite uneven character development and doubts about its fit for the screen. She particularly praises Florence Pugh and Hoon Lee, whose performances give the series emotional force.

Fienberg finds the adaptation imperfect but morally complex and rich in memorable performances. He especially praises Florence Pugh’s unsettling portrayal of Cathy and Hoon Lee’s breakout performance.

The critic praises the adaptation for staying faithful to Steinbeck while giving the story a fresh perspective. She singles out Florence Pugh’s nuanced portrayal of Cathy as a standout.

The critic calls the series well worth watching and praises its nuanced, compelling character study. Florence Pugh’s layered portrayal of Cathy Ames is singled out as phenomenal.

The review finds the series a worthy, literary successor to the classic. It especially praises Florence Pugh’s performance and Zoe Kazan’s nuanced treatment of Cathy.