Summary
Another teen-focused mystery series that checks off all of the most alluring genre characteristics is Harlan Coben’s Shelter. The program is packed with bizarre plot twists and intriguing key investigations. It is also quite clichéd and very superficial, and as the various plot threads become entangled and unravel, it swiftly falls into a repetitious formula.
Here is our review of the 2023 Prime Video series Harlan Coben s Shelter Season 1, which does not contain spoilers.
As they continue to swoop in and take some of Netflix‘s most well-known authors, Prime Video is launching a full-scale assault on Netflix in the streaming battles. In recent years, several authors, like Jenny Han (XO, Kitty), Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House), and now Harlan Coben (The Stranger), have made the switch from Netflix to Prime Video or happily alternate between the two services.
This mystery-thriller, adapted from Harlan Coben’s own 2011 best-selling novel, makes its Prime Video debut. Harlan Coben is most known for being a best-selling author before transitioning to television.
Together with his daughter, author Charlotte Coben, they created the series.
Harlan Coben s Shelter Season 1 Review and Plot Summary
The mild-mannered student Mickey Bolitar (Jaden Michael), a talented young basketball player, is the focus of the Prime Video original series. Mickey is seen mourning the loss of his father, who died in a terrible car accident, as the show opens.
Following this terrifying incident, Mickey returns to New Jersey to live with his Aunt Shira (Constance Zimmer), while his own mother Kitty heals in the hospital. He soon acclimates to life in Kasselton, establishing friends there and interacting with the basketball team of the town’s high school.
Mickey notices a weird resemblance to a bizarre, spooky mansion in the area while commuting to and from school. The owner of this eerie residence is a woman simply known as Bat Lady, Kasselton’s very own boogieman.
Mickey is captivated to this structure, where he soon encounters Bat Lady. She immediately lets him know that his father is still alive.
Ashley Kent, Mickey’s new student and friend, vanishes at the same time. Together with his new companions, the geeky outcasts Spoon (Adrian Greensmith) and Ema (Abby Corrigan), Mickey looks into this strange disappearance.
In this peaceful neighbourhood, they swiftly discover a terrifying, sinister underground.
Is Harlan Coben s Shelter Season 1 good or bad?
Similar to the author’s other TV program adaptations, Harlan Coben’s Shelter starts out trashy and enticing but rapidly turns predictable and gimmicky as you explore a little further. However, despite all of its shortcomings and the numerous clichés on display, Prime Video is unquestionably onto a winner.
The program benefits from having three likable leads who stand out and are played by talented, emerging actors. This play is led by Mickey, Ema, and Spoon, who investigate their friend’s sudden abduction together in a contagious and endearing spirit of friendship.
The series’ compelling major plot and lovable friendship group are enough to keep things going along steadily, despite how needless the numerous side plots seem in comparison.
The show is filled to the brim with startling and spectacular plot twists, just like Coben’s earlier work. As each new episode attempts to top the previous one with ever more bizarre and confusing interconnected puzzles, it almost feels like episodic one-upmanship.
Is Harlan Coben s Shelter Season 1 worth watching?
This might be the ideal binge-watch for you if you are acclimated to Coben’s style of storytelling and are willing to indulge in these wild, unbelievable subplots. But not everyone will enjoy this ostentatious, superficial series.
With this quirky, teen-focused genre series that might be able to take the place of Stranger Things in the coming years, Prime Video has undoubtedly struck gold.
What did you think of Season 1 of Harlan Coben’s Shelter on 2023 Prime Video? Please leave a comment below.
More Stories
- Best Prime Video Shows of All Time
For all of your VPN streaming requirements, Ready Steady Cut heartily recommends Surfshark. The best VPN for streaming TV is Surfshark.
This is a special deal from Ready Steady Cut. Use this offer to get 2 months free AND 82% discount.
Use our Discovery Tool to learn where to watch this and other things.
Explore Now
