Apple TV+’s latest mystery thriller series can be described in one word: unexpected. The adapted novel of the same name was published in 1981. The show primarily depicts a family of four running away from the United States government. Allie Fox, a clever engineer laboring in a dead-end profession that clearly differs from his credentials, heads the family. As someone on the run, it is hardly surprising that his employment is low-key. His wife, Margot Fox, is described as a very cryptic individual with little information about her. Dina and Charlie Fox are the latest additions to the Fox family and have no distinguishable features at first. But their voyage is anything but mundane or ordinary.
Their story began after the U.S. government pinpointed the family’s location. As a result, they fled their current residence, which was nothing out of the ordinary for the Fox family. Allie seemed to be accustomed to uproot the family’s lives and flee, preparing to go to Mexico with a strategy. As with any plan, you cannot always predict how things will turn out. That was where the narrative of their escape began – with obstacles.
The novel, The Mosquito Coast, tells the story of a brilliant, self-regarding, but also paranoid inventor and idealist named Allie Fox, who, disillusioned by an America he sees as gridlocked politically and socially, awash in rampant capitalism, conformity, and injustice, takes his wife and children to live in the Honduran jungle—a supposed tabula rasa where he dreams, they will start over, yet where his utopian obsessions instead lead the family into extreme danger.
According to the book’s synopsis, the series had some resemblances to the novel. The seven episodes that were aired could not fully explore the novel’s material. However, we could clearly observe Allie Fox’s personality and his path to his paradise. We saw the first destination as Mexico in the show, but the novel actually portrayed Allie and his family going to Honduras. It was meant to be a reversal of how illegal immigrants escape from Mexico to try to enter the US in hopes of a better life. How ironic.
The novelist, Paul Theroux, is the uncle of the actor who plays Allie Fox, Justin Theroux. As previously mentioned, Allie Fox was a smart but obsessed idealist, and Justin Theroux played the part almost too well. His expressions and demeanor completely captured the persona of Allie Fox. Many fans agreed that his acting was certainly a factor that contributed to the popularity of the show.
As the series progressed, there was one aspect that left viewers in absolute turmoil: the answer to what he did to cause all the fleeing in the first place. A minor spoiler, which I feel should be read before watching the show, is that the first season did not tell us. Although the anticipation waiting for it did not dull one bit while watching, the story still played out quite nicely with several unexpected scenes that left viewers right on the edge of their seats. Honestly, this feeling does not wear off till the end with so many twists and turns that never let you rest.
Some sequences in the show made me wonder whether they could have truly happened in real life, while others were shown so realistically. The emotional impact on the characters was not disregarded after the trauma of running away. Also, the siblings changed dramatically, which was expected after all of these complicated escape plots. The abrupt end to their innocence while being suddenly forced into maturity was accurately shown – and it was quite sad to see. Furthermore, having the main protagonist have a genuine but flawed personality, rather than merely being brilliant at everything, is a huge plus.
The character of Allie’s wife, Margot Fox, was another element that differs from the novel. In the original novel, she was an unnamed and non-fleshed-out character that was only referred to as Mom. However, in the series, her character played out a prominent role in escaping Mexico and handling her family, including Allie. One thing is certain: there was not a single word to describe her. Her character evolved in such a shocking way and the mysteriousness of the show was amplified from her presence alone. Margot Fox will have you cursing, feeling proud, and will prove that she was certainly Allie Fox’s partner.
As I have stated, The Mosquito Coast was an unexpected show. It was difficult to look away from the screen since it had so many distinct qualities and the characters were shown with such richness and emotion. The cliffhanger was infuriating, but it did set the stage for an already announced second season. Although the books and series were different, the series was well worth the time and effort. The suspense and adventure entice you to keep watching, making this another binge-worthy show.