It’s no mystery why Missing You made it to Netflix’s No. 1 show earlier this week. Although rated TV-MA, this limited series is probably safe to watch with teens. Missing You gets the award for being binge-worthy, full of plot twists, disappearances, and mysteries. If you’re a Harlan Coben fan, Missing You will meet your expectations for suspense and detective work, but with very minimal language and gore.
While there are still violent scenes to be aware of, most of them are severely toned down from what you would typically see in a limited series of this genre. In many instances, you can hear or imagine what is going on without actually seeing it happen. However, if you have a sensitive teen, watch through to the end before you decide they are ready to watch. Another plus for watching with teens is that there is no nudity.
Missing You parents guide: What to know before watching
Now that you know you can enjoy Missing You with your teenager, let’s dig into some of the themes.
This series touches on experiences of abandonment and betrayal, while also covering emotions of grief and the need for closure. Detective Investigator, Kat Donovan, can’t seem to shake the unresolved case of her father’s murder. While there is a convicted murderer in her father’s case, a closer look at the evidence seems to suggest a coverup. Donovan is determined to make sense of the unknown fingerprint on the murder weapon, and she is not afraid to ask all of the questions that were avoided for over a decade.
In the midst of trying to reopen her father's case, Donovan is also assigned several missing persons cases. Brendan, a 19-year-old who reported his mother missing, finds himself entangled in some of Donovan's investigations and even tries to interfere with them out of desperation. In addition to grieving her father’s death and having a potential murderer/kidnapper on the loose, Donovan must also cope with a failed engagement and dark secrets held by the people closest to her. With each episode, you will find yourself slowly uncovering the lies and getting some answers, only to lead you to more questions. By the end, you’ll be able to put the ‘missing’ pieces together.
More from the author who inspired the series
- Fool Me Once (2024) TV-MA
- Hold Tight (2022) TV-MA
- Gone for Good (2021) TV-MA
- Stay Close (2021) TV-MA
- The Innocent (2021) TV-MA
- The Woods (2020) TV-MA
- The Stranger (2020) TV-MA
- Safe (2018) TV-MA
Another option for the Harlan Coben fandom is Shelter on Amazon Prime (2023). This show has a rating of 16+ and does include some disturbing imagery and mature themes. Overall, the series will keep you locked in, at the edge of your seat, and maybe a little afraid of the dark.
Grab your and your teen’s favorite snacks (because we know that’s the way to their hearts) and prepare to be glued to the screen when you start any of these series!