Florence Pugh is a dazzling villain in Netflixs East of Eden: review

“East of Eden” is a show made for those who enjoy watching a villainous Florence Pugh surrounded by sad men.Netflix’s new seven-episode miniseries — based on the classic 1952 John Steinbeck novel — isn’t flawless, but it’s an emotional, sweeping story that does justice to the widely beloved book. Set in the early 1900s, “East of Eden” follows brothers Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles Trask (Mike Faist) as their lives are turned upside down by Cathy Ames (Pugh). The decades-spanning story also dips into Cathy’s youth, her life in a brothel, and her sons Aron (Joe Anders) and Cal (Joseph Zada), as they grapple with their parents’ legacy.The story focuses on the relationships between both sets of brothers, as jealousy, secrets, and lies get in the way – mixed with the damage that Cathy inflicts on multiple generations.For anyone unfamiliar with the source material, don’t let the word “classic” intimidate you as there’s plenty of betrayal, sex and murder.In between the drama, “East of Eden” also has quiet stretches where men are depressed, and discuss morals and the Bible.It’s not boring content, but it does require the viewers’ patience and full attention.Brimming with rolling hills and ornate parlors, the show looks great, even though it’s been criticized for filming in New Zealand (as a stand-in for California).

You can practically feel the “California” dust, in the scenes at Adam’s ranch.It’s also a family saga in front of the camera and behind the scenes: co-showrunner Zoe Kazan’s grandfather, Elia Kazan, directed the 1955 movie starring James Dean as Cal. Pugh shines in the complex role, and carries the show on her shoulders.Like many antiheroes from TV’s golden era  – Walter White and Tony Soprano – Cathy is an awful person, and yet so captivating to watch. Similar to “Game of Thrones” character Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), Cathy is a woman in a man’s world who navigates it through cyn...