Netflix recently shared the first trailer for its “Lord of the Flies” limited series adaptation of William Golding’s disturbing 1954 classic, and it brings back a flood of memories from when I was a kid, forced to read it in school like millions of others. Now, it’s coming home.
Jack Thorne (Adolescence) adapted the book for television for the first time, with Marc Munden of “Utopia” serving as director. The story follows English schoolboys who crash-land on a desert island. Innocence quickly descends into absolute savagery as they fight for survival and ranking.
The Trailer
The trailer offers a glimpse at the initial, terrifying plane crash. It shows the boys at odds, calling each other “failures.” To add to the desperation, they fear who might be “next” on the chopping block. Tensions boil over as the group hunts one of their own survivors. “We have to kill the beast,” the trailer ominously concludes. This final line features newcomer David McKenna as the iconic “Piggy.”
An Impressive Young Cast
The talented young cast includes Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, Ike Talbut, and Thomas Connor. Over 30 boys play the various “biguns” and “littluns.” Filming for the gritty series took place in Malaysia.
Watch it Now
Thorne hopes the show sparks a conversation about modern youth. He believes we are losing a generation of boys to hate and isolation. The series, which features four hour-long episodes, explores what humans are truly capable of when rules disappear. Watch the descent into chaos as Netflix unleashes “Lord of the Flies” today, May 4.
