“East of Eden” Review: Florence Pugh Commands Netflix’s Ambitious Steinbeck Adaptation
Netflix’s “East of Eden” is a project that I’m approaching mostly with fresh eyes. While I’m aware of John Steinbeck’s source material, I don’t recall ever reading the novel, and my familiarity with the 1955 film adaptation is quite limited.
Rather than getting caught up in comparisons to previous versions, I approached this series as I would any new show: by asking whether the story draws me in and if the performances keep me engaged.
Fortunately, Florence Pugh gives me plenty to appreciate. Fresh off a cameo in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and before returning to the world of Dune, Pugh has shown she can excel in a variety of roles, and her portrayal of Cathy Ames offers another chance to showcase her talent. Cathy is not written as a character that the audience is necessarily expected to like.
She is intelligent, unpredictable, dangerous, and completely comfortable operating on her own terms. Pugh fully embraces every facet of this character without trying to make her unnecessarily sympathetic. This commitment is one of the strongest aspects of this interpretation.
Created by Zoe Kazan, Netflix’s “East of Eden” offers a broader take on Steinbeck’s story, letting the multigenerational saga of the Trask family unfold over several hours. The series explores themes of inheritance, family history, and whether individuals can break free from patterns set by previous generations.
The pacing can feel deliberate at times, particularly in the early episodes, but I never felt completely disconnected from the narrative. The period production values are impressive without overshadowing the characters, and the series allows its relationships to develop naturally. The series shows clear confidence in letting the story breathe instead of rushing through its larger themes.
More importantly, “East of Eden” never feels like homework. That was my primary concern going into a seven-hour adaptation of a literary classic. Instead of assuming the audience is already familiar with Steinbeck’s world, the series provides newcomers a clear entry point into the material while still exploring deeper ideas about family, shame, ambition, and the choices people make when confronted with their past.
Naturally, viewers who are well-versed in the novel will approach this adaptation differently than I did. However, I can only judge what was presented to me.
What I found was an ambitious family drama anchored by a powerful performance from Florence Pugh. Although I may not have entered “East of Eden” as a Steinbeck devotee, this adaptation certainly piqued my curiosity about what I’ve been missing.
Final Grade: B
“East of Eden” is streaming on Netflix now.
