East of Eden is finally on Netflix and this is what we think about it

Florence Pugh who stars in a westerncostume drama ? Sign me up. I am always up for a series that doesn't revolve around modern problems, but family dynamics that are about to explode. And East of Eden? That's exactly it. This is a family full of secrets and love that spirals out of control. In this seven-part miniseries, we follow Florence Pugh as Cathy Ames, who turns the lives of the two half-brothers Adam and Charles Trask upside down. And with all those breathtaking landscapes and western vibes, this is definitely one for your watchlist. This is everything we know about East of Eden.

Here’s what East of Eden is about

Adam and Charles had a complicated relationship even before Cathy entered their lives. They have just come out of the American Civil War and grew up with a monstrous and lying father who pitted the two brothers against each other. So they already have enough family drama behind them, but when the injured Cathy shows up at their farm, everything gets even more complicated. Adam takes care of her and falls in love. Charles doesn't trust her one bit. And Cathy, played by Florence Pugh? She has a past that you’d rather not lay on the table with your new in-laws.

Adam dreams of a new life with her in California, but Cathy longs primarily for freedom. A marriage and a family don't quite fit into that picture. Her choices have consequences for the next generation, in which two brothers are once again central. Expect jealousy, secrets, and betrayal, with one big question: does your family determine who you become, or can you choose a different path yourself?

Why East of Eden is so great

Look, I'm always happy with a costume drama. But I didn't expect to find one that I like better than Bridgerton. This is just a bit different from those series like The Gilded Age. Because this is a western, it deals with much darker themes than you would expect from a costume drama. The combination of the beautiful costumes, the desert-like landscapes, and of course the complicated relationships that almost become psychotic is fan-tas-tic. And then Florence Pugh also plays the lead role. I'm a fan of hers anyway, but the fact that this series is a lot darker than most costume dramas is what I find amazing.

As Cathy, Florence plays a woman who can be manipulative and ruthless, but whom you still want to understand. Her past and the limited freedom she has as a woman give her behavior more context. That doesn't make her actions any less cruel, but it does make her character more interesting. So this is really not a series you put on while cooking, but one you can't stop watching.

Additionally, this is an adaptation of an earlier adaptation from 1955. The grandfather of the screenwriter Zoe Kazan made this classic with James Dean. Now, seventy-one years later, she offers her perspective on this well-known story. Isn't that fantastic? Although she wasn't in the director's chair, it is definitely a family project.

Where and when does East of Eden take place?

The story spans several decades, set against the backdrop of America between the Civil War and World War I. Cathy's arrival at the brothers' home takes place in 1899, in Connecticut. After that, the story shifts to the Salinas Valley in California.

And those vast landscapes? They were mostly filmed on the other side of the world. The series was filmed in New Zealand. Among other locations, the Hawkdun Range and the historic Oamaru stand in for the California of yesteryear. Other scenes were shot in locations and sets in Auckland.

Is East of Eden based on a novel?

Yes, indeed. The series and the eponymous film from 1955 are based on the novel by John Steinbeck from 1952. The book deals with good and evil, the need for love, and the question of how much influence your family has on who you become. The rivalry between the brothers refers to the biblical story of Cain and Abel.

But does the miniseries resemble the book a lot? A bit. While the 1955 film mainly used the later part of the novel, the series has room for a much broader family history. However, this version is also not a literal copy of the book. Cathy gets more psychological background, and the life of the Chinese-American Lee is further developed. The Hamilton family plays a smaller role. The main lines remain recognizable, but the focus is distributed differently.

These people star in East of Eden

In addition to Florence Pugh, many other well-known names star in this film. Christopher Abbott as Adam Trask and Mike Faist as his half-brother Charles. Hoon Lee plays Lee, who has an important role within the family. Joseph Zada and Joe Anders play respectively Cal and Aron, the sons of Adam and Cathy. Furthermore, you see Ciarán Hinds as Samuel Hamilton, Tracy Letts as Cyrus Trask, and Martha Plimpton as Faye.

So. Are you in the mood to watch a western that secretly demands more of your attention than you thought? Then East of Eden is for you. It's not a Clint Eastwood film, but who can say no to a western love triangle with Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, and Mike Faist? Not me.

Image: Netflix