BBC viewers slam new Lord Of The Flies TV series for disorienting fish-eye lens and call it unwatchable in the United Kingdom

BBC viewers have wasted no time sharing their strong opinions about the new adaptation of Lord Of The Flies, calling the series “unwatchable” due to what many describe as a jarring cinematic technique.

The latest take on William Golding’s 1954 classic, brought to life by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, debuted on Sunday, February 8, and immediately divided audiences.

The story follows a group of schoolboys stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash.

Forced to create their own society, tensions rise, especially when Jack, played by Lox Pratt, becomes obsessed with hunting, and order begins to collapse.

The BBC synopsis promises a dark exploration of human nature: “Stranded on an island, a gang of schoolboys create their own community – but when the rules vanish, the beast within awakens.”

Fish-Eye Lens Choice Drives Fans Crazy

For many viewers, it wasn’t the story itself that caused frustration—it was the visual style.

Several scenes appear to have been shot using a fish-eye lens, an ultra-wide-angle camera tool that produces a distorted, almost surreal effect.

While this technique is often used in cinema to evoke dreamlike or disorienting visuals, TV audiences felt it was overdone.

Social media reactions were swift and fiery.

One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) complained: “I love the Lord Of The Flies book, but this filmmaking style is horrific. This is too ‘cinematic.’ It’s only bleedin’ TV!”

Others agreed, with comments like, “Nope. Can’t watch this fish-eye lens car crash,” and “Feels off—colors, fisheye lens shots, kid actors, or general vibe. Not sure.”

Many fans criticized the distorted periphery, the exaggerated colors, and what they called over-the-top camerawork.

One summed it up bluntly: “This is unwatchable, terrible cinematography. Someone’s dialed up the ‘Vivid’ filter to 100.”

Yet, there were counterpoints.

Some viewers praised the cast and performances, with one writing, “Very impressed by the new adaptation so far,” and another adding, “Enjoying it so far, what fantastic actors.”

Young Cast With Inspiring Stories

Beyond the visuals, the cast itself has captured attention.

Many of the actors, including David McKenna, 12, who plays Piggy, are making their professional debuts.

David’s own life story mirrors the resilience of his character.

Born with chronic kidney failure, he has survived two kidney transplants—first from his father, then his mother.

He endured years of hospital treatments and dialysis, yet has gone on to win musical theatre trophies and pursue acting opportunities.

Other notable young actors include Lox Pratt as Jack, Winston Sawyers as Ralph, and Ike Talbut as the introspective Simon.

Like David, most of the cast are new to professional acting, giving the series an authentic yet raw energy that some viewers appreciated despite the stylistic controversies.

Critical Reception and Public Debate

Ahead of its release, critics offered mixed reviews.

Praise was given for “excellent acting,” but some described the script as “not great.”

Following the first episode, online reactions have intensified the debate, particularly around the use of cinematic techniques that some feel clash with the storytelling.

The fish-eye lens, while visually striking, has been described as distracting and at odds with the dramatic tension Golding’s story demands.

What’s Next?

Lord Of The Flies continues on BBC One Sundays at 9 pm and is available for streaming on iPlayer.

As the series unfolds, viewers will likely see how the young cast navigates the story’s psychological and moral complexities.

Whether the fish-eye lens becomes a permanent feature or is dialed back in later episodes remains to be seen.

The mix of professional debuts and real-life resilience could become a talking point as the series progresses.

Summary

BBC’s new adaptation of Lord Of The Flies has divided audiences.

While the story of stranded schoolboys descending into chaos remains compelling, the visual style—particularly the use of fish-eye lenses—has been widely criticized.

Fans and critics are split between frustration over cinematography and admiration for the young, largely debuting cast.

With the series continuing weekly, all eyes are on whether the storytelling and performances will win viewers back despite the controversial camera choices.