The Mosquito Coast (2021–2023) User Reviews

What could have been

[aimee925 · 6/10 · 4 June 2021]

What could have been a great show turned into a series that grew more and more idiotic as the weeks went by. Plot holes abound.

Normally, I really like Justin Theroux (Mulholland Dr. And The Leftovers especially). But this adaptation is just terrible all around. Bad writing and bad acting by the entire family. Man I've probably never wished so badly for a family member or 3 to get caught, or worse.

None of the decision making makes sense by anyone in this family. I find myself yelling at them throughout the show, "Hide, hide your van, die your hair, buy a wig, put on sunglasses, put on A FREAKING HAT! Hey how about a sombrero?!" Good god, anything to not stick out like a sore thumb. It's just simple and absurd writing, and how this show got a 2nd season I'll never know. It seems most everyone agrees this is an awful show. Maybe liked by the same people that find NCIS quality television? I think Apple is desperate for shows. 90% of their originals are ok at best.

Too bad. Another waste of good talent (Theroux). At least the last few episodes laid off the "Americans are awful" trope.

Glad I gave it a chance

[Rob1331 · 8/10 · 12 January 2023]

I wasn't sure what to expect from The Mosquito Coast but heard enough good things to give it a chance. I'm glad I did because I was hooked almost immediately. It's packed with enough twists and turns that you'll want to binge it as quickly as possible. I actually binged the entire first season over a weekend and was upset when it ended because I wanted to see more. I think most reviews have already pointed this out but the only negative thing on the show for me is the daughter. Don't like the character and the actress is just as bad. It's based off a movie that came out in the 80's that starred Harrison Ford, Helen Morten and River Phoenix. I never saw the movie but heard it was pretty good but not as good as this show. Give this show a chance and I promise you won't be able to stop watching it!

I liked it but hated the daughter

[Supermanfan-13 · 8/10 · 12 December 2023]

The Mosquito Coast was so much better than I expected. I've been a fan of Justin Theroux ever since his brilliant performance in The Leftovers. He really is an underrated actor as he's great in this as well. The rest of the cast is pretty good as well (except for the daughter) but it's Theroux who really stands out. He plays a brilliant inventor who has to go on the run with his family throughout Mexico as he's wanted by the US Government and some other dangerous people. The only problem with the show I had was that I couldn't stand the daughter. I couldn't stand the actress or how the character was written. The way she keeps disrespecting her parents is disgusting. I kept hoping that she would be killed off every episode. Anyway, It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout both seasons.

Started off well but soon becomes stale

[omendata · 6/10 · 6 June 2021]

Was really looking forward to this due to the writer of the book being involved and his brother starring in it so perhaps we would get a more authentic version of the book and to be fair it started off quite well but soon becomes lacklustre and rather tedious.

Add to that the fact that the father comes across as weak, cowardly and for a supposed brilliant scientist, makes some really stupid and illogical decisions and is really just a very annoying character who brings the whole thing crashing down in flames. Melissa George is one of my favourite actresses but she could be taken out of the show and you would not miss her as she has literally very little screen-time or dialogue and the kids soon become just as annoying as the father.

All things considered it is a just above average run of the mill thriller and when compared to the movie with Harrison Ford it pales into insignificance in every way.

Why?

[ncentia · 6/10 · 4 June 2021]

This show has many strengths and is well-produced. But 7 episodes in and the audience is still given no reason WHY we should care about, invest in, empathise with, and root for Allie and Margot and many, many reasons why we shouldn't. They are not likeable characters and that's hard to accept when we're given no reasons why they are the way they are. It undermines the entire show and as a viewer you just watch children endangered, lied to, and controlled again and again with no good reason provided for why it is happening. In a way it somewhat works as an allegory for abusive parenting and being stuck in the grip of a destructive narcissist but I'm not sure it is enough.

I will continue watching and I assume at some point we will learn why Allie and Margot are on the run from authorities. I just hope the cost to viewers of holding back that information actually pays off.

Not bad After episode two

[iconians · 8/10 · 30 April 2021]

So far, so good. Acting is good. Pacing is good. Def not boring. No clear answers yet. But, def a high quality production. Worth watching it, I think.

Will update later!

Season 1 - yes, Season 2 -no

[jellyrhubarb · 7/10 · 12 December 2022]

Well... I enjoyed Season 1. The story was compelling, the acting strong and the writing was above average. I'm a stickler for writing!

So, Season 2 is a bummer and not good. Darn it. The dialogue is woefully cliched and really ruins the show. You can mouth the cliched lines before the character says the words. Obvious. The number of times the family said "are you okay" to the dad at one point was DUMB. They couldn't think of anything else? Melissa George is overacting probably made more evident by the bad lines she has to deliver.

I watch the show while I'm doing needlepoint, otherwise I don't think I'd stick with it. Too boring.

A different Kind

[FelixOBrian · 30 April 2021]

Already in episode two, feels like we need to give some time to it for us to soak it in. No doubt the performance, with such a powerful cast. Kudos.

Nail-biting good

[the_real_smile · 10/10 · 13 June 2021]

This series revolves around a family that has to leave America and the adventures and problems they face in their trip to a save haven. After reading the negative reviews I did not had my hopes up. And that is a shame, because this series is one of the best made last year. The performance, suspense, story, all are award winning good.

Normal review from grown adult

[keywester-05337 · 7/10 · 3 May 2021]

This series is really intriguing, sorta like Breaking Bad. The characters draw you in, the situations are compelling. Looking forward to ep 3 and you will be too when you watch.

The start was great!...then fizzled quickly

[kq999 · 3/10 · 4 June 2021]

The first couple episodes had me thinking this is going to be a really good series. The problem began quickly as all episodes are the same...they follow the same format, battle the same problems and end in the exact same way all while the actors perform super-hero tasks that no human could. If you watch the first 2 episodes you've seen the whole series. There is no escalation to the plot, it is just flat and repeats itself leaving one hanging at the end wondering if there is yet another episode.

Also, there seems to be a new approach to writing where children/teenagers are involved in a family. The writer gives us no choice but to form a very strong dislike for the kids due to their actions and attitudes. I have seen this done with this show and 2 others that came out in the last year. I realize we are long past the perfect Leave it to Beaver family, and thank goodness we are...But this new idea is way over the top, you could not like the kids in Mosquito Coast if you were paid to do so....and for what reason?...it seems it is just a quick and sloppy way of adding to the story.

Get stung

[urbanswami · 8/10 · 1 May 2021]

Three episodes in and it's already better than the '80s movie it's a remake of. The characters are toned down, more fleshed out. The acting is superb, no over the top shenanigans, just getting emotionally invested. The story is thus far the same, only more elaborate. In additon, Justin Theroux and Melissa George are likable by default, so there are plenty of reasons to follow this show. Get a taste of it and you'll want your fix week after week.

Has potential

[rathduill · 7/10 · 30 April 2021]

Watched the first episode, took a while to get into but it has potential, fingers crossed im not wrong.

Low rent MacGyver takes his annoying family to Mexico

[Acid_Reflex · 5/10 · 4 June 2021]

Low rent MacGyver takes his annoying family to Mexico, and not just Mexico, the very worst parts. One character is more annoying than the next. Some Mexican tramp is supposed to be so lethal every cartel in Mexico is scared of her or something and a genius thinks Mexico is the place to hide when the United States is after you. Worst thing Apple has done so far by far.

The only likable character is the assassin

[julieshotmail · 6/10 · 8 June 2021]

I gave this show a lot of chances to improve as I progressed through the episodes week by week. Unfortunately, none of the "protagonists" have any redeeming qualities. The dad is cartoonishly obnoxious; the wife is cold, and the kids are plain stupid. Ian Hart as the assassin is a breath of fresh air; he is the only interesting character and you're supposed to dislike him. Plot aside, the show does have some entertaining and suspenseful action scenes, that is if you don't try to remember the stupid actions that brought them to those action scenes. Six stars for decent production values and "Kokomo" at the end.

Love the actors, hate the writers

[jdfree-52729 · 7/10 · 5 June 2021]

This could have been pretty good if the writers respected the viewers just a tad. Over and over again they were either too lazy or to dumb to write a compelling story line. Time and again I have been forced to put my brain on hold and ignore the improbability of the plot. A good writer could have filled in those plot holes with little effort. I will probably watch the second season if I have nothing better to do but I won't be eagerly anticipating it.

Haters gonna hate!!!

[ilovemovies743 · 9/10 · 27 September 2022]

It's really frustrating to me all the people on here writing bad reviews. This was a exciting show!! So there was a few annoying moments where the kids made dumb decisions. Isn't that was movies are all about?? That's called entertainment people! Without the dynamic of dumb decisions made by characters there would be no shows to watch.

Justin Theroux is phenomenal as Allie Fox. He's brilliant and frustrating which makes things interesting. Melissa George is the glue that holds the family together. She plays the living wife and mom well. As we journey with Dina, Logan Polish, yes she's aggravating and a dumb teenager but that's what makes it feel real. She's trying to figure out who she is at that "I'm indestructible" age. Also where she fits into her family. Then you have Charlie who just follows. Having said all that, what a typical family dynamic. So why all the damn hate??

Now you have Allie who has done "something" serious and the whole family is in hiding and on the run. That's entertainment!! People need to chill out and relax. Stop comparing this to the Harrison Ford movie. This version is WAY MORE EXCITING!!

Listen to the BS reviews if you want but I'm telling you it's good! No, it's great!! People obviously don't know what good entertainment is I guess. Watch for it yourself and decide.

Still don't know why they're running

[steamindemon-210-938298 · 6/10 · 8 June 2021]

Why are they running? The show is just vague and it never gets answered. The only reason I kept watching was to find out what made them so important...are they really saving that for the next season?!

So far..very good!!

[jdzacpt · 8/10 · 3 May 2021]

Action packed, well put together so far, lots of intrigue and suspense to hold your attention and want more. It's polished, well written ,and very good acting by the cast. I'm looking forward to the rest of this.

Entertaining but only loosely based on the book

[cwbrown131 · 7/10 · 3 September 2021]

I thought this was entertaining but if you are a fan of the book and are looking for a faithful adaptation, this isn't it. It's modernized quite a bit and the father here is a much more sympathetic character than the version in the book.

Not believable, not compelling

[SimonSaysSmallScreen · 5/10 · 12 May 2021]

I want to like this story, but I can't. The Allie Fox character is just not compelling. He is written to be flippant, even nonchalant, in the face of violence, sudden death and mortal danger to his family. The character is purported to be intelligent, but he behaves as if he doesn't quite grasp the reality of his situation. His daughter, for example, demonstrates to his surprise and awe that she is a smart, courageous and capable bad-ass by rescuing him from police custody. But he continues to treat her like a child, not discussing the risks and tactics of their route through the desert. Instead, he feeds his family quips and sardonic grins as he leads them to what very well may be their deaths. It's a shame that Apple executives don't seem to be able to distinguish between good and bad writing.

Intense!

[akira-hideyo · 9/10 · 2 May 2021]

Can't wait to figure out what heinous crime is behind all that monstrous police behavior. Excellent episodes so far. Bring on season 2 already!

Mediocre thriller show with barely compelling characters and story :-(

[stevebondi · 6/10 · 5 June 2021]

It eventually becomes hard to root for any of the characters with so many people being killed due to their irresponsible behavior :-(

I so desperately wanted this to good

[runemeijer · 4/10 · 23 May 2021]

That I watched 5 episodes so far. There's just not enough there to make this a series with substance.

The cinematography is great. The acting is ok in places but the mannerisms are getting on my nerves. The family are completely enstranged and disconnected from each other but are supposed to be this tight knit bunch who have no one but each other in this world. The wife resents and mistrusts her husband but is supposed to follow him blindly into each new venture where absolutely nothing is known or shared inside the family. They have managed to lay low for 10 years, have everything planned out but at every turn do the most reckless thing imaginable. The kids are kept in the dark and rebel without rebelling.

I'm still hoping it turns around, but about halfway into the series I'm skeptical at best.

Fairly enjoyable but meandering and messy!

[Thinker365 · 7/10 · 20 November 2022]

Only 1 in 10 people have rated The Mosquito Coast a 4 or lower but proportionately, nearly 40 percent of reviews express this sentiment. A bit of balance is likely necessary given 7 out of ten have rated it a 7 or higher.

The story has plenty of flaws and the family, our protagonists, can be hard to root for. The story is far-fetched and at times unbelievable and most problematically, it never really feels like there is an end in sight so the viewer has to watch as the family stumble from one crisis to the next.

The acting and cinematography is great, but the story already feels overstretched. Hopefully it concludes in its second season and not only in the scope of its final episode. If not and it goes to a third season, please let it be abbreviated.

I think a lot of the criticism lies in the fact that the writers haven't really properly teased any forms of possible resolution creating a dynamic where even entertaining episodes feel like wheel-spinning.

This should be an 'extended' mini-series with a beginning, middle and end. Know when to let it end!