'East of Eden' Review: Florence Pugh Shines in a Dark and Absorbing Adaptation
By Elliot Lines - October 1, 2026
TV - Premium TV
Based on the 1952 novel by American author and Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck, East of Eden has been brought to the small screen by Netflix, with Zoe Kazan adapting the sprawling family saga for a seven-part limited series. With Florence Pugh taking on the complex role of Cathy Ames alongside Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist as brothers Adam and Charles, this latest adaptation has a strong cast at its centre and a story that continues to explore some of the most enduring themes of human nature. While Steinbeck's novel has already been adapted for the screen, this new interpretation has the benefit of time, allowing the story and its characters to develop across a full series rather than being condensed into a single feature.
"And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the Land of Nod, on the east of Eden"
What is East of Eden about?
Set in California’s Salinas Valley in the early 1900s, East of Eden follows the turbulent Trask family across two generations, as Cathy Ames (Florence Pugh) becomes intertwined with brothers Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles (Mike Faist). As their relationships unravel, jealousy, betrayal and long-buried secrets threaten to tear the family apart, with the consequences echoing through the next generation.
There is a purposeful structure to the series, which ultimately gives you a clear indication of the timeline you're meant to follow. Even though it occasionally jumps back and forth, you still get a good sense of where you are within the overall story. The first two episodes do a fantastic job of establishing the tone and direction for what follows. Across the two episodes, we're given the brothers' upbringing through to adulthood, filled with jealousy, resentment and an ongoing desire for their father's approval. The story then circles back to its opening, where Cathy (Pugh) arrives bloodied on the doorstep, leading into the second episode and her full backstory. Here, we begin to understand the deception surrounding Cathy and the darker turn she may ultimately bring to the brothers' lives. From there, the series can really begin to explore the depths of its story, as Adam and Cathy — albeit reluctantly on Cathy's part — move to California, twin babies enter the fold, and we begin to see how the rest of their lives will unfold.
Certainly the most interesting character at play here is Cathy, played by Florence Pugh. There is an innocence to her appearance, but Pugh is able to quickly bring a much more sinister edge to the character when required. This is particularly prevalent across the first four episodes, where Cathy becomes increasingly determined to get what she wants by any means necessary. Her scarred upbringing clearly drives many of her actions, with her desire for control becoming a defining part of the character. In a period where women are so often expected to be controlled by the men around them, Cathy is determined to ensure that she is the one in control. It's what makes her such a compelling presence, even when her actions become increasingly difficult to justify. There is only one real sign of weakness, which arrives towards the end with her first and final meeting with the second of her twin sons.
Adam, played by Christopher Abbott, is a quiet type, someone who has had unwanted experience with the army and wants to see the good in everyone. Unfortunately, this becomes his downfall when it comes to Cathy. Even as his sons grow older, he can't quite shake the grip she has over him, at least until he discovers what has become of her and is finally released from the hold she has had on his life. His brother Charles plays a smaller role, although he ultimately provides something of a "devil on the shoulder" presence in Cathy's demise. The series really begins to develop its characters further when the likes of Lee (Hon Lee) and Samuel Hamilton (Ciarán Hinds) enter the story. At this point, they add a new depth to the proceedings, helping the world around Adam and Cathy feel more like a family rather than simply a story centred on the two of them.
Steinbeck's inspiration for the novel comes from the fourth chapter of Genesis, the story of Cain and Abel, exploring themes of depravity, love, the struggle for acceptance and greatness, the capacity for self-destruction, and the relationship between guilt and freedom. These themes are prevalent throughout the series, from the relationship between Adam and Charles to that of Caleb and Aaron. They form the foundation of the story and remain at its centre right through to the end, with the series consistently returning to these ideas as its characters struggle with their own relationships, choices and desire for acceptance.
East of Eden will be released in its entirety on Netflix on October 1, but I can't help feeling that a series like this would benefit from a weekly release schedule. The way it is shot, its deep character study and the runtime of each episode give it the feel of a premium television drama, and a weekly rollout could have allowed the story more time to breathe between episodes. In an increasingly crowded streaming landscape, there is always the risk that a series can arrive, be consumed and disappear almost as quickly. East of Eden feels like the kind of show that could benefit from having audiences sit with its characters and story from week to week.
Ultimately, East of Eden is a series that understands the weight of the story it is adapting. Steinbeck's themes of family, jealousy, acceptance and the battle between good and evil remain as relevant as ever, while the performances give these ideas a human element that keeps the sprawling narrative grounded. Florence Pugh is undoubtedly the standout, bringing a fascinating unpredictability to Cathy, but the wider ensemble ensures the story never becomes solely about her. There are moments where the pacing can feel deliberate, particularly as the series takes its time exploring the relationships between its characters, but that patience is also part of what makes the story work. With its cinematic presentation, layered characters and willingness to embrace the darker elements of Steinbeck's novel, East of Eden makes for an absorbing adaptation that feels deserving of more than a quick binge before disappearing into the wider streaming catalogue.
'East of Eden' is streaming now on Netflix. Following its October 1 release date.
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Elliot Lines
Founder/Lead Editor
Elliot loves to surround himself with all things movies. Whether that be his movie related LEGO collection or enough Blu-rays to restart blockbuster.
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