2025 has kicked off with Netflix’s first hit show of the year: “Missing You.” This Harlan Coben thriller is packed with suspense, twists, and jaw-dropping betrayals, making it perfect for binge-watchers. Now, elevate your binge with the Missing You drinking game! Inspired by the show’s cliffhangers and chaos, it promises laughs, gasps, and toasts.
Gather your friends, pour your favorite drink, and prepare for a thrilling ride through Netflix’s first breakout hit of 2025!
Table of Contents
What is Missing You on Netflix?
Missing You is a gripping tale of secrets, lies, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. Set in a small town, the series follows several interconnected characters who are drawn into a web of mystery after a woman vanishes under suspicious circumstances. As with all Harlan Coben adaptations, expect plenty of red herrings, heart-pounding reveals, and characters you’ll love (or love to hate).
Why It’s Perfect for a Drinking Game
If there’s one thing Missing You delivers in abundance, it’s moments that make you gasp, groan, or yell, “I KNEW IT!” The constant twists and cliffhangers are practically begging to be gamified. Every secret, betrayal, or sudden plot twist offers the perfect cue to sip, chug, or toast your favorite characters.
How to Play the Missing You Drinking Game
General Rules for Netflix Drinking Games
Before diving into the specifics, let’s cover the basics:
- Gather Supplies: Drinks of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), snacks, and a comfy viewing setup.
- Set Boundaries: Pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint—especially if you’re planning to binge the whole season.
- Stay Safe: Always keep water on hand, and remember, this game is about fun, not excess.
Drinking Game Rules for “Missing You”
Here’s where the fun begins. Every time one of the following happens in “Missing You,” follow the corresponding rule:
- Take a sip whenever:
- A flashback is shown.
- A character says something cryptic like, “You don’t know the whole story.”
- There’s an ominous zoom-in on an object.
- Take two sips whenever:
- A character tells a lie (or we think they’re lying).
- Someone receives a mysterious text or email.
- A shocking twist changes everything.
- Finish your drink whenever:
- A major betrayal is revealed.
- An episode ends with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger.
Bonus Rules to Keep Things Interesting
- The Mary Malone Rule: Every time Mary (or another character) gives an emotionally gut-wrenching monologue, take a long sip and reflect on your own life choices.
- The Shadowy Stranger Rule: Spot a character wearing a hoodie or lurking ominously in the background? Take two sips and thank them for the suspense.
- The “Missing” Moment Rule: Whenever someone utters the word “missing,” stand up, raise your glass, and toast to the drama.
- The Catfish Chaos Rule: If someone gets catfished (it’s a Harlan Coben series, after all), chug your drink and yell, “Gotcha!”
- The Red Herring Rule: Suspect a character of being guilty but they turn out innocent? Finish your drink and mutter, “They got me again.”
Similar Netflix Shows by Harlan Coben
If you love “Missing You,” you’ll want to check out Coben’s other Netflix hits like “Fool Me Once,” “The Stranger,” “Safe,” and “Stay Close.” These suspense-filled series are perfect for drinking games, with rules that can mimic the ones above.
Fool Me Once Drinking Game
Can you trust what you see? In Fool Me Once, a grieving widow discovers disturbing footage on her late husband’s tablet, suggesting he might not be as “late” as she thought. With every revelation, her world unravels, leading to shocking truths that will leave you questioning everything.
- Take a sip whenever:
- Maya discovers a new clue about her husband’s whereabouts.
- Someone tries to dissuade Maya from digging deeper.
- A new suspect emerges unexpectedly.
- Take two sips whenever:
- A character’s alibi falls apart.
- An ally betrays Maya.
- Finish your drink whenever:
- The footage reveals a twist that completely changes the game.
The Stranger Drinking Game
What would you do if a stranger walked up to you and shattered your life with a single secret? The Stranger plunges you into a world where no one is safe from the truth. This electrifying thriller follows a mysterious woman who reveals devastating secrets to unsuspecting individuals, triggering a cascade of chaos. With each episode, more lies are exposed, pulling you deeper into its web of deceit and danger.
- Take a sip whenever:
- Someone’s secret gets exposed.
- The Stranger appears unexpectedly to drop a bombshell.
- A character insists they’re telling the truth (but you’re not buying it).
- Take two sips whenever:
- A family member turns on another.
- Someone receives a cryptic text or email.
- Finish your drink whenever:
- A massive twist completely changes your theory about the plot.
Safe Drinking Game
How far would you go to protect your family? In Safe, a widowed father’s desperate search for his missing daughter unravels dark secrets in his seemingly perfect gated community. From secret relationships to deadly cover-ups, every neighbor has something to hide. This series delivers heart-pounding suspense, proving no one is as “safe” as they appear.
- Take a sip whenever:
- Someone mentions the gated community.
- A parent goes into full panic mode.
- Take two sips whenever:
- A character sneaks into a forbidden area.
- A flashback adds new layers to the mystery.
- Finish your drink whenever:
- The truth about the missing teenager is revealed.
Stay Close Drinking Game
What if your seemingly perfect life was built on lies? Stay Close intertwines the lives of a suburban mom, a gritty detective, and a haunted photographer, all connected by a dark past they can’t escape. With secrets threatening to unravel their carefully crafted worlds, this series is packed with cliffhangers that will leave you gasping for breath—and hitting “next episode” every time.
- Take a sip whenever:
- A character hides their past from someone close to them.
- There’s a scene at Vipers (the ominous nightclub).
- Take two sips whenever:
- Megan struggles to juggle her double life.
- Detective Broome uncovers a disturbing clue.
- Finish your drink whenever:
- The central mystery finally connects all the characters in an unexpected way.
Tips for a Fun and Safe Drinking Game Night
Play Responsibly
- Balance your drinks with plenty of water.
- Keep an eye on your friends—no one should overdo it.
- Have alternative penalties (like doing push-ups) for those who prefer to skip drinking.
Make It Memorable
- Decorate your binge-watching space to match the theme of “Missing You.”
- Take group photos before and after (to document the chaos).
- Create a “punishment jar” with extra challenges for anyone who misses their cue.
Transforming your binge-watching session of Missing You into a drinking game elevates the suspenseful drama to a whole new level. With every twist, flashback, or betrayal, you and your friends can share laughs, groans, and toasts to the show’s brilliant storytelling.
So grab your favorite drink, call up your crew, and let the mysteries of Missing You keep you on the edge of your seat—and maybe off the edge of your chair. Cheers!
FAQs About Missing You TV Show
Is Missing You based on a book?
Yes, Missing You is inspired by Harlan Coben’s novel of the same name. As with many of Coben’s adaptations, the show blends intricate plots with emotional depth, keeping viewers hooked.
Is Missing You A True Story?
No, Missing You is not based on a true story. The series is adapted from Harlan Coben’s fictional novel of the same name.
Is Missing You suitable for all audiences?
Missing You is rated for mature audiences due to its themes of violence, suspense, and emotional intensity. Viewer discretion is advised.
What are some similar shows to Missing You?
If you loved Missing You, check out other Harlan Coben adaptations like Fool Me Once, The Stranger, Safe, and Stay Close. Similar thrillers like The Sinner and Broadchurch also offer gripping mysteries.
How many episodes are in Missing You?
The series consists of 5 episodes, each packed with intense drama and cliffhangers that make it perfect for binge-watching, especially in the New Year holiday.
Who are the main cast members?
– Rosalind Eleazar as Detective Inspector Kat Donovan, a key figure unraveling the mystery while facing her own emotional turmoil.
– Richard Armitage as Detective Chief Inspector Ellis Stagger, who hides a dark secret while working on the case.
– Jessica Plummer as Stacey Embalo, a pivotal character tied to the central mystery.
– Lenny Henry as Clint Donovan, a supportive but enigmatic family member.
– Steve Pemberton as Titus, a character whose motives keep everyone guessing.
– Marc Warren as Monte Leburne, a figure with ties to the missing person case.
– Samantha Spiro as Nurse Sally Steiner, who holds key information.
– Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan, a mysterious and complex figure in the investigation.