It’s not just the Netflix budget. We’re in an era of "survival" media—from The Hunger Games to Yellowjackets—but Lord of the Flies is the blueprint. The reason it’s resurfacing now is that the core themes—groupthink, the fragility of rules, and how quickly a group can turn on an outsider—feel incredibly relevant to anyone navigating a middle school hallway or a chaotic group chat.

The Netflix series updates the setting but keeps the "island" isolated. It trades the 1950s schoolboy blazers for a more modern, relatable aesthetic, making the descent into tribalism feel much closer to home.

If you want to talk to your kid about the show or the book, you don’t need to analyze the "symbolism of the conch." You just need to look at the three types of people Golding (and now Netflix) puts on that island:

Ralph is the kid who wants to build a signal fire and get home. He represents the part of us that likes order, chores, and long-term planning. In the Lord of the Flies show, he’s the one trying to keep everyone’s eyes on the prize while everyone else just wants to play.

Jack is the charismatic athlete who realizes that hunting and fear are way more fun than building shelters. He’s the personification of "might makes right." He doesn't offer a plan; he offers a vibe and an enemy.

Piggy is the brains, the logic, and the one who gets bullied because he’s "different." He’s the moral compass that the group eventually breaks.

If your kid is hooked on the high-stakes social drama of Lord of the Flies, they’re likely looking for more stories where the rules of society are stripped away. Here are a few deeper cuts and classics that hit the same notes:

Think of this as "Lord of the Flies in a wealthy Connecticut suburb." A group of teens returns from a field trip to find everyone else in their town has vanished. It’s less about hunting pigs and more about how you run a grocery store and a police force when no one is over 18. It’s excellent for discussing the actual logistics of a functioning society.

This is the "hard mode" version. It’s a Japanese cult classic that predates The Hunger Games and is significantly more intense. It’s for older teens (16+) who can handle extreme stylization and gore, but it’s the definitive "kids forced to fight" story.

For a much lighter, funnier take on survival and "being an outsider," this Taika Waititi film is a masterpiece. It features a defiant foster kid and a grumpy old man on the run in the New Zealand bush. It’s the "anti-Lord of the Flies"—showing how isolation can actually build a family rather than destroy it.

If they want to actually play the survival element, skip the "battle royale" games for a second and look at Terraria. It’s about building a world from scratch, managing resources, and defending a community. It lets them experience the "Ralph" side of the story—the satisfaction of building something that lasts.

The "brutality" of Lord of the Flies isn't just about the physical violence (though there is some, and it’s impactful). It’s the psychological cruelty. The story doesn't have a "happy" ending where everyone learns a lesson and hugs. It’s a tragedy.

If your 12 or 13-year-old is watching the new series, the thing to watch for isn't the gore—it's the feeling of helplessness. The show is designed to make you feel uncomfortable about how quickly people can abandon their values when they're scared or want to belong.

Pro-tip: If they’re reading the book for school and struggling, watch the first episode of the Netflix show together. It’s the fastest way to "on-board" them into the stakes so the 1950s prose doesn't feel like a chore.

Get help picking their next book series

Instead of a lecture on "human nature," try these "what would you do" scenarios. They’re way more effective for getting a real take from a teenager:

Q: Is the new Lord of the Flies show okay for a 12-year-old? It’s intense. If they’ve seen The Hunger Games and were fine, they can likely handle this, but be prepared for some "nightmare fuel" imagery and a very bleak ending.

Q: Do they need to read the book before watching the Netflix series? Not at all. The series stands on its own. However, seeing the differences—like how the new version handles technology or modern slang—is actually a pretty cool way to engage with the story.

Q: Is Lord of the Flies based on a true story? Mostly no, but there is a famous real-life case from 1966 where six Tongan schoolboys were shipwrecked on an island for 15 months. Unlike the book, they actually cooperated, stayed friends, and survived. It’s a great "counter-point" to mention if the show feels too cynical.

Lord of the Flies is back because it asks a question we’re still trying to answer: Are we good people because we want to be, or because we’re afraid of getting in trouble? Whether they’re reading the classic or binging the Netflix update, it’s a story that respects a teenager's ability to handle big, dark ideas.