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Official poster for Netflix's I Will Find You featuring David Burroughs and Cheryl Dreason.

I Will Find You Netflix Review: 4 Lessons From Harlan Coben’s New Series

20 June 2026 by Paulina Bonsu Donkoh

If you haven’t watched the new 2026 Netflix limited series ‘I Will Find You‘ yet, you’re missing out.

Let me answer the question many people are searching online: Is it worth watching? Yes. The movie is absolutely worth watching.

I think I’m slowly falling in love with Harlan Coben’s stories. To be honest, I haven’t read any of his books yet, but I’ve enjoyed several TV adaptations based on his work. That alone gives me the impression that he’s a brilliant storyteller with an incredible imagination.

Ha! Enough of the flattery, right?

I was first introduced to his work through Run Away, and since then, I’ve found myself watching more adaptations of his novels.

Dearest reader, consider this your invitation to watch I Will Find You and then come back so we can discuss it together.

What Is ‘I Will Find You About?’

David Burroughs is escorted through a prison corridor while serving time for a crime he insists he did not commit.
David’s journey begins behind prison walls, where he continues to maintain his innocence.

I Will Find You is a Netflix mini-series about a father who has been wrongfully convicted of killing his young son.

Five years later, new evidence emerges that suggests the truth may be very different from what everyone believed. But if he didn’t kill his son, then who did?

That’s all I’ll say for now because I don’t want to spoil the story. What I can tell you is that the plot twists had me staring at my screen with my mouth wide open.

As I usually do in my movie reviews here on Realest Talks, let’s look at some of the lessons we can learn from the characters.

David Burroughs: A Father’s Love Never Gives Up

David Burroughs speaks on a prison telephone after receiving information that could change everything.
One unexpected conversation sets David on a dangerous search for answers.

David Burroughs is the main character of the series.

He’s a loving father serving time in prison for a crime he insists he did not commit. Every piece of evidence pointed to him, yet he knows he’s innocent.

And honestly, one of the scariest things in life is being accused of something you didn’t do. I once came across a social media post that said:

“May we never find ourselves in a situation where only God knows we are innocent.”

The idea behind that statement is simple. When nobody can testify on your behalf, proving the truth becomes incredibly difficult.

When David is presented with evidence that changes everything he thought he knew, he becomes determined to uncover the truth, regardless of the obstacles in his way.

That’s how powerful a father’s love can be.

I know there are many stories about fathers who abandon their responsibilities, and sadly, some of those stories are true. But the fathers who genuinely love their children will move mountains for them.

David reminded me of that.

Hayden Payne: Charm Doesn’t Always Mean Good Character

What a manipulative psychopath.

Yet somehow, he’s charming, likable, and difficult to read. Hayden is the kind of character who reminds us that appearances can be deceiving. Some of the most dangerous people don’t look dangerous at all.

As the story unfolds, we begin to see how deeply family dynamics can shape a person’s behavior. While I don’t excuse Hayden’s actions, I couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for him at times.

His story also highlights an important lesson for parents. You cannot constantly clean up your children’s mistakes for them. You cannot fix every problem they create.

And most importantly, you shouldn’t belittle them. The effects of poor parenting often surface later in life, sometimes in ways nobody expects.

Cheryl Dreason: Major Decisions Require Honesty

David’s ex-wife, Cheryl, frustrated me.

I’m probably going to sound a little self-righteous here, but I found some of her decisions selfish. One thing that stood out to me was how major family decisions were made without complete honesty between husband and wife.

Marriage requires communication. It requires transparency. And when decisions that affect both partners are made in secret, trust becomes the casualty.

One misconception some people have is that only women deeply desire children. That isn’t always true. Many men long to become f athers too. They are emotionally invested in the journey and deeply affected by loss when it occurs.When two people are building a family together, both deserve to be included in the process.

Rachel Mills: Every Favor Has a Cost

David Burroughs and Cheryl Dreason sit together discussing the mystery surrounding their son's disappearance in I Will Find You.
Despite their complicated history, David and Cheryl must work together to uncover what really happened.

Rachel Mills made me shake my head several times. She knew Hayden was obsessed with her, yet she kept turning to him whenever she needed help. At some point, you have to ask yourself why someone keeps saying yes.

Who pays a former girlfriend’s bail bond of one million dollars? Probably someone who still has feelings for her. Or someone who wants something in return. One lesson this storyline reinforced for me is that favors are rarely free.

Whether the cost is emotional, financial, or relational, there is often an exchange taking place beneath the surface. The real question is whether the price is worth paying.

The characters in I Will Find You made this series memorable for me

The characters in I Will Find You made this series memorable for me. Beyond the mystery and suspense, the story explores love, loyalty, family, manipulation, and the consequences of our choices.

Most importantly, it reminds us that the world isn’t always a safe place. But sometimes, a father’s determination to protect and find his child is powerful enough to face whatever dangers stand in the way.

If you’ve watched I Will Find You, let me know what you thought of it in the comments. And if you haven’t watched it yet, take this as your sign to start tonight. Then come back and join the conversation.

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