The Mosquito Coast (2021–2023) User Reviews (279)

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great 1st season, Awful 2nd - so much potention wasted

[mlamotte-78475 · 6/10 · 29 January 2023]

First season was fantastic.

1st season: lots of rhythm, very good cinematography, convincing enough characters... Not all was perfect, not all was credible but it worked.

2nd season is just dull and uninteresting. The whole S2 plot is not credible, characters are annoying, Subplots are plain silly, everything it predicable... Some characters from S1 reappear for no credible reason.

Going through the end of the season 2 is as boring as going through S1 was exciting.

There is so much potential wasted I am cringing. In my opinion if there is not enough to do a season, then just don't!

So much could have been done, so little achieved.

Still not sure what is going on

[joelathan · 6/10 · 15 June 2021]

After watching the entire season, there are still no answers or explanations. Do we know anything about any character in this show? It is a lot to ask an audience to keep watching a show without any definitive conclusions whatsoever.

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.

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.

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.

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?!

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.

Into this new series so far

[flabob257-988-686151 · 9/10 · 30 April 2021]

To me this is very interesting, unique, tv series so far. I hope it continues all series of this like the first episode.

A solid watch and carries the same narcissistic vibe as the original movie and book

[butikkmb · 7/10 · 11 January 2023]

I seem to be unique in finding the daughter the most real character to watch. Her parents are just plain bonkers, and her brother is too young and naive to understand what's really going on around him. Her consistent dislike and distrust of her parents in season 2 is exactly how I started to feel, as the parents swung from agreement to outright hatred and betrayal of each other from one episode to the next.

Half way through season 2 I was feeling for the mother, but then she switches back to her activist ways thinking, which would mean abandoning the return to normal life she had just promised to restore to her children, what?! Haven't finished the season yet, so no idea if she pursues that, but its got to the point where I hope the daughter just gets up and leaves to make a better life for herself. Her parents are just awful people and her brother is oblivious.

Harrison Ford in the original movie was an awful obsessive and narcissistic character, but it was Harrison Ford, so you let it slide more. In this TV adaption, the father is a narcissistic bully with zero redeeming traits, the mother is borderline schizophrenic, the son is a wet sponge, and the daughter is wondering how on earth she got stuck with this crazy family and just wants a normal stable life.

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.

Didn't live up to its potential

[Badabananabas · 6/10 · 16 June 2021]

The story started good and I was looking forward to the next episodes after the first 2 or 3. After that, the writers just kept finding way to frustrate the viewers by a. Not disclosing the real issue they were facing and b. Making sure the family kept facing new, out of the blue problems so the story couldn't develop. Now the season is over and I don't know that I've been looking at. I'm being generous with the 6 stars, but somehow they managed to keep me interested and I liked the visuals.