'Behind Her Eyes' is actually based on a book, but does it have the same shocking ending?

The new Netflix hit, Behind Her Eyes, has captured the attention of many fans. But now, many of us are wondering, who came up with this complicated story? Is it based on a book?

The new Netflix thriller Behind Her Eyes getting buzz for its wild plot and shocking ending is originally based on Sarah Pinborough’s novel of the same name. The novel was published in 2017, and fans adored the twisted psychological drama. The book was a Sunday Times bestseller and a critical and commercial success. It has also just been adapted into a TV series that’s set to be your next big Netflix obsession.

Praise for the novel came from all angles. A New York Times book review stated, “An eerie thriller…Pinborough keeps us guessing about just who’s manipulating whom – until the ending reveals that we’ve been wholly complicit in this terrifying mind game.” Alison Flood at the Guardian also wrote, “Behind Her Eyes is a canny move from Pinborough.”

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Behind her Eyes

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The series itself has mixed reviews. With some writers stating, “Behind Her Eyes is just too ridiculous to take even half as seriously as the show takes itself” and others saying, “Who knew threesomes could be so dull?” But some critics disagree and argue, “Netflix’s Behind Her Eyes is a well-crafted, completely bonkers thriller” that deserves a watch.

Although the novel received a lot of attention and the Netflix adaptation received a lot of hype, Sarah Pinborough, chose not to be involved in the Netflix production. Speaking to the Express, Pinborough stated, “I think if you sell your book to a TV company, you’ve sold it. They can do whatever they want with it, so no, I wasn’t at all [involved with it].”

However, she revealed that she was asked to be involved with the project. She said, “Even early on actually, they [the producers] asked me if I wanted to read the first episode when the first script was written, and I said no.“ The writer concluded, “I just don't think it's the author’s place.”

The novel was marketed with the hashtag, “#WTFthatending.” This set up some big expectations for some twists and turns in the narrative of the book. The ending had a similar impact on fans who watched the Netflix show, as many were left shocked. For all of you who have seen the TV show and have watched the confusing ending to Behind Her Eyes, the twist is lifted directly from the novel. 

The Netflix adaptation of the novel has only been streaming on the platform for a day, but already the show is trending and has reached the top 10 most watched shows. 

The series is currently the second most watched show on Netflix and the third most watched piece of entertainment when comparing TV shows and films on the platform. Although this adaptation of the novel is divisive, the book’s reviews are stellar. So if you like the plot but the reviews of the series have put you off, try the novel!