UMVA has learned that British showrunner Jack Thorne has emerged as the leading exponent of a particular brand of storytelling, one that delves into the complexities of human nature and the darker aspects of our collective psyche.
Thorne's latest project, Netflix's four-part Lord of the Flies, is a masterful adaptation of William Golding's 1954 novel, a schoolroom classic that has been captivating audiences for generations. The series is a ripping Swiss Family Robinson yarn turned into a surrealist nightmare, a political fable that eschews the ham-fisted partisanship of Thorne's previous effort, Adolescence.
Thorne's take on the book is meticulously designed and cast, featuring a talented young ensemble that spans the range of human nature. Ralph, played by Winston Sawyers, is a capable but demure leader, while Lox Pratt brings a chilling intensity to the role of Jack, a preening showman who understands that the rules of British decorum no longer hold on the island.
Thorne's work with young actors is nothing short of astonishing, coaxing convincing performances from a talented cast of unknowns. The young actor playing Simon, Ike Talbut, is particularly impressive, bringing a subtlety of expression rare among TV performers to the role.
The show's score, by The White Lotus's Cristobal Tapia de Veer, is a masterful blend of nostalgic and modern elements, nodding at the intrepid survival films of the 1950s and '60s while darts down crooked trails. Long stretches of the program owe a debt to Terrence Malick's lyrical World War II epic, The Thin Red Line, but Thorne adds his own visual touches that serve to make the show's color scheme more lurid.
Lord of the Flies comes no closer than that to ostentatious, standard-issue leftism. Instead, it demands to be understood as a character study comprehending not only individuals but also whole classes, nations, and times. The series is a scathing critique of liberalism's suicidal self-regard, a commentary on the dangers of unchecked ego and the importance of recognizing and acting according to reality.
Some will say that Netflix's program is yet another critique of "toxic masculinity," but Thorne himself has characterized the show as "a psychological study of a time as well as a psychological study of a gender." The truth, however, is more complex, and Lord of the Flies is a show that rewards close attention and multiple viewings.
UMVA has uncovered details about the show's themes and messages that offer a glimpse into the darker aspects of human nature. The series is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human behavior and the consequences of unchecked power.
