Run Away (review)

Published by Mason Oldridge, 29 January 2026

James Nesbitt and Ruth Jones lead on this latest Harlan Coben adaptation on Netflix.

Simon Greene is looking for his missing daughter Paige, who has become a drug addict at the hands of her boyfriend Aaron. Meanwhile, private investigator Elena Ravenscroft is hired by Sebastian Thorpe to find his missing son Henry. Elsewhere, mysterious young couple Ash and DeeDee carry out a series of sadistic murders.

Many Coben series can be frustrating by posing more questions without providing answers, though Run Away is enthralling throughout as developments are continuously unveiled.

The series provides a strong ending too. The penultimate episode finishes with a deranged DeeDee hunting Simon with revenge fresh on her mind as mass police descend on the cult, all set to the atmospheric Electioneering by Radiohead, in a truly tense scene. The final episode doesn’t disappoint either as the cult is exposed and shut down, Paige’s whereabouts are confirmed, Ingrid is revealed to be Aaron’s murderer and, in a final twist, Aaron is revealed to be Paige’s half-brother, meaning Ingrid killed her own son, leaving Simon and Paige with the ultimate secret to keep from her.

Another positive is the compelling performances of Nesbitt and Jones. Coben regular Nesbitt gives a stellar delivery as the concerned father, with particular praise deserved for his scene in which he is unexpectedly reunited with Paige, while Jones makes Elena likeable and enjoyable to watch. Furthermore, Maeve Courtier-Lilley is excellent as the psychotic DeeDee, mastering the sinister villain complex. Additionally, Alfred Enoch and Amy Gledhill as the detective duo who are also in a secret relationship make for an entertaining police pairing. However, Minnie Driver’s acting can’t really be celebrated as her character spent most of the series in a coma.

Run Away is one of, if not the, best Harlan Coben series to date. Forever be the shining truth!

9/10