BBC’s impressive new Lord of the Flies channels Adolescence in all the best ways

by

Lord of the Flies spoilers won’t be found in this review.

Creating a follow-up to a huge hit like Adolescence is tough. So, the next step is to adapt the book that inspired it – the timeless novel Lord of the Flies.

There’s a clear connection between William Golding’s classic novel, Lord of the Flies, and shows like Yellowjackets, as both explore similar themes. Given his work on Adolescence, which dealt with these same concerns, Jack Thorne is perfectly suited to write the first-ever television adaptation of Lord of the Flies.

What to Read Next

While this story has been adapted for film before, including a famous 1963 black-and-white movie directed by Peter Brook, it seems television is actually the ideal way to bring this timeless tale to life.

Although the core story remains unchanged, spreading it over four episodes allows for a more detailed and immersive experience. This is achieved through both new flashbacks and by focusing each episode on a different main character’s perspective.

Ralph, Piggy, Simon, and Jack each have moments where we see the world through their eyes, showing us different ways of dealing with being stranded and trying to find food.

Ralph and Piggy try to build a new society, but their efforts are quickly threatened by Jack, a powerful and ruthless boy who wants to be in charge. Meanwhile, Simon possesses a special insight that connects him to a hidden, more basic truth, hinting at the dark fate awaiting them all.

A lot of the actors are making their professional stage debuts in this production, but they perform with surprising confidence. While experience levels vary, McKenna and Pratt are particularly impressive, embodying the intense energy and possibility at the heart of the story. Both actors bring a remarkable depth to their roles, whether it’s through Piggy’s thoughtful intelligence or Jack’s frightening capacity for unkindness.

It’s surprisingly effective to see real children playing children on screen, and it makes their disturbing journey even more frightening and realistic.

Honestly, the island feels as real to me playing the game as it does to the characters stuck there. The director, Marc Munden – he did that awesome show Utopia – really nailed the atmosphere. He mixes incredible shots of the Malaysian jungle with some trippy camera angles, and it perfectly shows how the characters’ minds are falling apart as their little society crumbles. It’s super immersive!

Because the young actors couldn’t film after 6 PM, the filmmakers, including Director of Photography Mark Wolf and Munden, used an infrared camera for the night scenes. This camera made green plants appear in shades of pink and red, as reported by the BBC. The effect is dreamlike and unsettling, and it uniquely captures the disturbing fate of the characters.

The unsettling music, created by the acclaimed Hans Zimmer alongside Kara Talve (from Prehistoric Planet) and Cristobal Tapia de Veer (The White Lotus), adds to the show’s off-kilter feeling.

The computer-generated imagery isn’t always convincing either – sometimes the island creatures look obviously artificial.

It’s a minor issue considering how well everything else is done to bring this story to life. The adaptation stays true to the source material, but also adds more depth than we’ve seen before, particularly in how it explores the subtle hints about Simon’s sexuality that scholars have discussed.

This adaptation of Lord of the Flies acknowledges and incorporates queer interpretations without changing the story significantly or attempting to force those interpretations on audiences who may not share them.

The new adaptation also smartly casts actors of diverse backgrounds, moving beyond the traditionally white cast. For example, making Ralph biracial adds another layer to the story’s exploration of the British class system and its harsh consequences. The film shows that even in an extreme situation like being stranded on a deserted island, advantages still come with privilege.

What makes Lord of the Flies truly powerful is its look at what it means to be a boy. Similar to what’s seen in Adolescence, the boys in the novel deal with feelings of loneliness and frustration by turning to anger and aggression, and this behavior goes beyond just their situation on the island. The way this anger shows itself isn’t that different, even though the specific details might be.

Despite the harsh and wild setting, love also exists within this story, though it’s hidden. You can’t have hatred without love, even if that love becomes twisted and unrecognizable. This contrast between love and hate is just as important to why this version works as it was in the original story, Adolescence. However, this adaptation doesn’t quite have the same powerful effect as Lord of the Flies.

I’m really into this series, especially how Thorne takes the original story and gives it a fresh, modern spin. It’s also just really well-made – honestly, it’s a fantastic way to get into one of the classics if you’ve never read it before.

If you already know the basic plot, this story might not be as surprising or engaging as books like Adolescence or even the first season of Yellowjackets, which cleverly updated Lord of the Flies with a focus on female relationships. But that’s no reason to skip it – you should still give it a watch!

This story continues to resonate with audiences, and it’s possible this version will become the definitive adaptation.

The new series, Lord of the Flies, will debut on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday, February 8th. All four episodes will also be released on BBC iPlayer the same day.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a vibrant, full-colour magazine dedicated to Taylor Swift, is now available! You can find it at newsstands or order it online for only £8.99. This special edition is 100 pages long.

Read More

2026-02-06 14:51