What Is the Story About?
Set in a soothing, sun-drenched New Mexico retirement community, The Boroughs follows a group of eccentric seniors who discover an otherworldly supernatural threat hiding beneath their retirement homes.
Led by a grieving retired engineer, this unlikely “Elder Scooby gang” unites to investigate bizarre local anomalies, from mass bird deaths, thefts of quartz, to a terrifying creature leaving behind blue blood.
Performances?
Alfred Molina is supremely talented. We best know the man from Spider-Man 2, where he played Dr Octopus. But he is far more talented than we have seen in the different supporting roles he has taken on over the years. And thanks to The Duffer Brothers for finally giving the man a proper leading role after all this time.
Playing Sam Cooper, a grieving retired engineer who is deeply unhappy about being stuck in a retirement home, Molina ditches the typical “sad old man” clichés. Instead, he plays Sam with a grumpy yet charismatic, deadpan energy that acts as the perfect foil to the chaotic supernatural events happening around him.
The show’s premise, on paper, seems wild and unrealistic. But Molina’s sheer commitment makes us believe in both him and the chaotic events unfolding around him. And with every passing episode, we realise how incredible he is as an actor.
Geena Davis, as always, is a delight to watch on screen. And it feels so good to see her in such a compelling role again after such a long time. She brings her characteristic, vibrant and fiercely independent energy that practically leaps off the screen.
Playing against Molina’s cynicism and crankiness, Davis brings a cool, rebellious, and effortless charisma to the community that keeps the audience smiling. She also displays the perfect comic timing and natural warmth that made her a superstar in the first place.
Analysis
We have spent nearly a decade watching the youthful, bike-riding kids of Hawkins deal with different sorts of monsters from the “Other” dimension using just their minds, plans, and tons of heart. Yes, Stranger Things (despite all the shortcomings of its final season) was nothing short of a massive cultural phenomenon, particularly for Gen Z and Millennials. But Netflix surely wasn’t going to stop there. They must have thought: why keep the boomers out of the fun, right? And hence, we got The Boroughs.
The new sci-fi series from Netflix, executive produced by The Duffer Brothers and developed by Will Matthews and Jeffrey Addiss, functions like a version of Stranger Things made for people enjoying retirement after 60, giving off plenty of “Spielbergian” vibes. But that doesn’t mean younger audiences can’t enjoy it too. They absolutely can.
Set in a seemingly peaceful, warm, and sun-drenched retirement community in New Mexico, the show introduces us to an eccentric group of seniors who stumble upon an otherworldly monster hiding beneath their manicured lawns, forcing them to team up and fight back.
The premise is undoubtedly interesting. Led by Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), a grieving and cranky retired engineer trapped in a housing contract after the sudden death of his wife, the narrative somehow strikes a balance between its high-concept sci-fi tone and the grounded realities of ageing.
Plus, the homages and references to prominent sci-fi stories from the 90s are satisfying to watch, though the series occasionally finds itself trapped within the confines of nostalgia. Instead of a group of young teens, we have a group of elders, which is refreshing to see, but the story sometimes relies too heavily on the traits of vintage sci-fi titles from the 80s and 90s.
The similarities to Steven Spielberg’s classic sci-fi films and The Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things are clearly visible in The Boroughs. And this scenario works well in terms of performances, world-building, its spooky yet sweet sci-fi tone, characterisations, and story (for the most part).
However, the horror elements, scares, and monster designs needed improvement. Nope, the monsters here are definitely not more frightening than Demogorgons.
That being said, one of the best things about the latest Netflix sci-fi horror is that it doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares. Instead, it opts for more character-driven suspense and old-school atmospheric horror tactics, and this strategy works most of the time.
Although some subplots take a while to develop and connect with viewers.
When it comes to pacing, The Boroughs takes some time to simmer. The first couple of episodes in particular are slow-paced, as they delve deeply into Sam’s struggles and grief, as well as the eccentric social dynamics of the community. The pilot begins with a gripping horror sequence before slowing things down considerably. This could test the patience of some viewers, but the deliberate build-up begins to pay off after Episode 4.
By the time the central mystery takes off and the horror elements ramp up midway through the season, the story becomes more engaging and tighter in terms of pacing and runtime.
As for the villains, they are compelling to watch performance-wise, but are weighed down by one-note characterisations and fairly typical and unambitious evil ambitions.
As we move deeper into the show, we realise that despite hitting some turbulence, The Boroughs excels in several important areas. Performances come first. Then there is its thoughtful exploration of concepts like ageing, redemption, and friendship. While acknowledging the fear of death and the desire to cling to youth, the show wholeheartedly celebrates the beauty, dignity, and grace of growing older, especially when surrounded by friends and family.
But its ultimate flaw lies in its inability to fully capitalise on its premise, which shows enormous potential at the beginning. Built around the haunting yet intriguing idea of a creature using the minds of old people to survive, The Boroughs explores humanity’s fears about ageing through an amazingly talented cast that smoothly balances emotion, horror, and humour.
With such a compelling premise and performances, the series had all the ingredients to become truly unforgettable. Sadly, it never quite reaches those heights. Still, it remains an entertaining watch.
Other Artists?
The supporting cast of The Boroughs forms a powerhouse ensemble, with each veteran actor bringing distinct flavour, wit, and depth to this senior sci-fi adventure.
Alfre Woodard is another scene-stealer as Judy, a fierce and intelligent former journalist. She plays Judy with a sharp, no-nonsense determination that keeps the group focused. Her character may remind many viewers of Nancy Wheeler from Stranger Things. Just imagine Nancy in her later years, still working for a newspaper. Talk about the odds.
Clarke Peters is in fine form as Art, an eccentric man who embraces the “divine” with all his heart. Peters plays him with a smooth, serene energy and excellent comic timing, especially when the group find themselves in increasingly bizarre supernatural situations. Art shares some similarities with Jonathan! Oops!
Denis O’Hare also shines as Wally, a retired doctor suffering from terminal cancer. At first, we see him as carefree, casually delivering humorous lines with ease. But later, O’Hare brings greater vulnerability and emotional depth to the role, especially when it comes to Wally accepting death.
Carlos Miranda, as Paz, shares a seamless and laid-back romantic chemistry with Geena Davis despite the noticeable age difference between the two characters. He also serves as an effective bridge between the retirees and the outside world.
Seth Numrich and Alice Kremelberg deliver compelling and intense performances that heighten the show’s underlying tension. Kremelberg, in particular, matches the veteran cast’s energy beat for beat, bringing a sharp, mysterious, creepy, and at times vulnerable vibe that fits perfectly with the show’s shifting tones. However, neither actor gets the opportunity to fully shine because of the one-dimensional treatment of their respective characters.
We also have Eric Edelstein as Hank, who immediately reminds us of Hopper from Stranger Things based on his appearance and the manner in which he speaks in the show. Just imagine Hank as some sort of evil Hopper working as a henchman for the bad guys. Come on, not again!
Music and Other Departments?
On the technical side, The Boroughs turns out to be a mixed bag. The production design looks top-tier, and we can tell that Netflix has made quite a financial investment in the show. Sound design, particularly during emitting the sounds of monsters howling, multi-legged skittering and crackling, works well.
John Paesano’s score immediately reminds us of the sci-fi movies featuring the collaboration of Steven Spielberg and John Williams. We listen to warm, optimistic, and emotional orchestral swells with synth-heavy motifs, giving a nod to 80s and 90s sci-fi roots while elevating the high-stakes narrative.
However, the series takes a major hit in its cinematography, falling victim to that sterile, homogenised “Netflix aesthetic.” Rather than capturing the cinematic, grainy texture of the classic Spielbergian thrillers, the slick, over-processed grading sometimes makes the visuals feel artificial and devoid of a distinct visual soul.
Highlights?
Strong performances from Molina, Woodard, and Davis
Unique premise
Thoughtful exploration of ageing, grief, and mortality
Good production design
Nostalgic Spielberg- and Stranger Things-inspired tone works well
Excellent ensemble cast
Atmospheric, old-school horror that avoids overusing jump scares
Drawbacks?
Relies heavily on nostalgia and familiar sci-fi tropes
Monster designs and horror elements lack some originality
Slow pacing in the first few episodes
One-dimensional villains
Fails to fully capitalise on its powerful central premise
Cinematography suffers from “Netflix aesthetic”
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, liked the show for its heartfelt themes, strong performances, and refreshing focus on older protagonists in a sci-fi horror setting. While it doesn’t fully reach its massive potential, it remains an engaging and emotional watch.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, especially if you enjoy character-driven sci-fi mysteries with emotional depth and nostalgic vibes. It’s worth watching for the cast, themes of ageing and friendship, and atmospheric storytelling.
The Boroughs Series Review by Binged Bureau
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