2026 saw several upcoming Netflix adaptations of classic literary works, such as East of Eden , Pride and Prejudice , and a sequel to One Hundred Years of Solitude . However, many readers are debating the platform’s purpose regarding these adaptations.

Netflix’s ambitions

East of Eden , John Steinbeck’s masterpiece, is no stranger to film and television adaptations, from the controversial film directed by Elia Kazan to the 1981 series starring Jane Seymour.

However, according to The Nightly , Kazan’s edition is considered the benchmark for classic adaptations of the work. Released just three years after the book was published, the film was not only critically acclaimed but also became integral to James Dean’s legacy six months after the actor’s death.

Book cover of East of Eden . Photo: T.D.

Perhaps that’s why many subsequent adaptations by directors like Ron Howard, Gary Ross, and Tom Hooper failed to go far. Although there was a television version in the 1980s, the shadow of James Dean’s legacy remained too great.

Now, Netflix is ​​trying its hand at this classic, enlisting Elia Kazan’s granddaughter, Zoe Kazan, to lead the adaptation project, hoping their version will achieve similar success and recognition.

Furthermore, the project boasts a strong cast including Florence Pugh, Mike Faist, Christopher Abbott, Ciarán Hinds, and Martha Plimpton, promising a high-quality version. The trailer somewhat reflects this with its elaborate and lavish production design; however, it has also sparked considerable controversy.

Transforming the female villain into a victim?

After watching the trailer for the new film, many fans are concerned that Netflix is ​​altering the cruel and ruthless nature of one of the most terrifying female villains in literature, according to Metro .

Brig News also questioned whether this adaptation would lose the core spirit of the original work.

East of Eden is a monumental novel, spanning generations, revolving around the lives of two families, the Trask and the Hamilton, and the interwoven stories between them.

Photo: Netflix.

Brig News argues that this work is considered one of the “classic” books for men, not only because male readers often rank it among their favorites, but also because of its content and themes: agonizing moral choices, sibling rivalry, and father-son relationships.

Therefore, many people were confused when both the trailer and the new poster focused solely on the perspective of the character Cathy Ames, played by Florence Pugh.

In the novel, Cathy Ames embodies pure evil: she both deceives others for personal gain and is willing to destroy anyone who stands in her way. Telling the story from Cathy’s perspective could be a promising approach if the character retains these personality traits.

However, the promotional material accompanying the film suggests something entirely different, portraying Cathy as an “unforgettable anti-hero” in the story.

Metro cited numerous online reactions suggesting that this approach is nothing more than a remake of the movie Jaws , but insisting that the sharks are merely victims of a misunderstanding.

One fan wrote on X: “My only worry is that they won’t dare to push this character to the absolute limit of cruelty. Cathy is the embodiment of evil and I hope they truly portray that.”

They favor the “anti-hero” archetype.

According to Brig News , Hollywood and the literary world have a strong preference for the “anti-hero” archetype and the process of a villain transforming into a hero, from Wicked and Maleficent to Amy Dunne in Gone Girl .

However, Cathy Ames is not that kind of character. Changing the original portrayal not only ruins one of the most brilliantly crafted villains in literary history, but also completely destroys the spirit of the work: everyone has the right to choose to be good or evil.

Steinbeck explores this concept throughout the work. Cathy serves as the ultimate test of this free will: given the opportunity to choose, she completely surrenders to her darkest instincts. From this, the author demonstrates that good and evil both exist, but individual choices and destinies are different and not predetermined.

Furthermore, the novel is also an allegory for the Genesis story in the Bible. Accordingly, Cathy represents the serpent, a seductive and corrupting force, compelling the male characters to confront the reality of inherited sin and make a choice.

Therefore, transforming this character into someone with a good nature but who is misunderstood risks ruining the entire thematic thread of the work, as this character serves as a crucial anchor for all subsequent developments in the story.

Nevertheless, some fans still believe Pugh is the type of actress capable of balancing Cathy’s charm and terrifying nature. One person wrote: “Florence Pugh as Cathy would definitely be explosive. Hopefully they don’t tone down the character’s cruelty too much.”