Nana
In the streaming era, the phrase "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" is often a double-edged sword. While it can suggest a respectful homage to a genre giant, it frequently serves as a polite shorthand for unoriginality. Netflix’s latest genre-bending venture, The Boroughs, arrives with the heavy burden of being compared to the platform’s juggernaut, Stranger Things. However, beneath its neon-soaked, 1980s-inflected aesthetic, the eight-part series from creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews attempts to carve out a unique space within the saturated landscape of sci-fi mystery. By centering on a cast of senior citizens, the show elevates itself from a mere nostalgia trip into a meditation on the often-ignored realities of aging.
The Premise: Retirement and Rectangles
The story follows Sam Cooper (played with a soulful, weary gravitas by Alfred Molina), a retired engineer and recent widower. Seeking a quiet existence following the death of his wife, Lilly (Jane Kaczmarek), Sam relocates to "The Boroughs," a picturesque, gated retirement community in the high desert of New Mexico.
The community is presented as an idyllic, almost utopian final destination. It is a sprawling landscape of lush golf courses, high-tech, voice-activated smart homes, and a social calendar packed with activities designed to keep its aging residents occupied. Yet, the sheen of perfection is immediately suspicious. The narrative quickly shifts from a character-driven drama into a dark, genre-fluid mystery when a fellow resident—who happens to be suffering from dementia—breaks into Sam’s home to issue a cryptic warning about "owls" hiding within the walls of the facility.
Chronology of a Mystery
The series unfolds as a slow-burn investigation. Following a series of unnerving events—including the sudden, unexplained death of one of the community’s most prominent residents—Sam finds himself unable to stay on the sidelines. He joins forces with an unlikely band of cohorts:
- Judy (Alfre Woodard): A sharp-witted former investigative journalist.
- Art (Clarke Peters): Judy’s husband, a relaxed, weed-loving retiree.
- Wally (Denis O’Hare): A cynical, cancer-stricken former doctor.
- Renee (Geena Davis): A no-nonsense, former music industry titan.
As this "ragtag team" of seniors begins to peel back the layers of The Boroughs’ operations, they discover that the facility is not just a place for rest—it is a front for something far more sinister. The show is unapologetic about its supernatural elements, featuring chittering, many-legged creatures that dwell in the shadows of the cul-de-sacs. The progression from mundane retirement life to full-blown monster-hunting is handled with a blend of dark humor and genuine dread, mirroring the "found family" dynamics that made Stranger Things a global phenomenon.
Supporting Data: The Duffer Brothers’ Influence
While Addiss and Matthews serve as the primary architects of The Boroughs, the involvement of the Duffer Brothers as executive producers is significant. Their fingerprints are unmistakable, from the synth-heavy sound design to the lingering shots of vintage cathode-ray tube televisions that pulse with an eerie, magical light.
Unlike the Duffers’ previous production effort, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen—which was widely criticized for its ponderous pacing—The Boroughs feels conceptually aligned with their brand of "Amblin-esque" horror. The show relies on visual nods to 1980s classics like Cocoon and E.T., using these cultural touchstones to anchor the viewer in a familiar emotional space. However, data from early critical reception suggests that while the show’s chemistry is strong, the "monstrous mystery" at the core of the show is the weakest link. Much like the Upside Down in Hawkins, the lore behind the monsters in The Boroughs struggles to stand up to intense logical scrutiny.
A Critical Look at Character Depth
One of the most refreshing aspects of The Boroughs is its treatment of its cast. Television is notoriously hesitant to explore the lives of older adults, often relegating them to archetypal roles—the "wise grandparent" or the "infirm patient."
The Boroughs breaks this cycle by granting its protagonists deep, three-dimensional backstories. Molina’s performance as Sam provides the emotional anchor, capturing the raw, fresh grief of losing a spouse. Similarly, the dynamic between Woodard and Peters is a masterclass in portraying a long-term, evolving marriage.
However, the writing is not without its flaws. Geena Davis, while a powerhouse actress, is underutilized. Her character, Renee, is frequently siloed into a romance subplot that lacks the narrative weight afforded to the other ensemble members. When she is given space to interact with O’Hare’s Wally, the scenes crackle with energy, highlighting the missed opportunity to flesh out her past outside the retirement community. Bill Pullman, as the neighborhood playboy Jack, is another highlight, though his screen time is frustratingly limited.
Official Industry Perspective and Production Notes
Netflix has marketed the series as a "throwback summer adventure," a label that serves both as a hook and a disclaimer. From an industry standpoint, the show represents a calculated risk. By casting legendary actors—Molina, Woodard, Davis, and O’Hare—the production leverages high-caliber talent to elevate what could otherwise be perceived as a standard genre exercise.
The production design team deserves credit for the look of The Boroughs itself. The aesthetic is meant to feel "off"—a mix of high-tech convenience and mid-century modern decay. The choice to replace the iconic bicycles of 80s teen films with designer motorized golf carts is a stroke of brilliance that effectively signals the show’s intent to play with established tropes while subverting the age of its heroes.
Implications: The Future of "Silver" Sci-Fi
The arrival of The Boroughs carries broader implications for the streaming landscape. It suggests that there is a hunger for stories that bridge the gap between "youth-oriented" sci-fi and adult-oriented dramas. By focusing on themes of friendship, loss, and the desire for purpose in one’s final years, the show manages to transcend the limitations of the "monster-of-the-week" format.
Critics have noted that the series is significantly overlong. At eight episodes, the narrative bloat is apparent; a tighter five- or six-episode run would have likely sharpened the stakes and removed the repetitive "investigation" sequences that currently dilute the tension.
Despite these pacing issues, The Boroughs is a successful experiment. It proves that audiences are interested in watching characters who have lived full lives tackle the unknown. It may not reach the cultural ubiquity of the Duffers’ most famous work, but as a summer distraction, it offers something rare: a mystery that is as interested in the internal landscapes of its characters as it is in the monsters under the floorboards.
Summary Checklist for Viewers:
- Genre: Sci-Fi / Mystery / Drama
- Key Cast: Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Bill Pullman.
- Tone: Melancholic, Charming, Mysterious.
- Verdict: A strong character-driven ensemble piece that benefits from stellar acting, even if it suffers from a bloated episode count and a somewhat thin overarching mystery.
As the summer streaming slate fills up, The Boroughs stands out as a unique, if imperfect, addition to the Netflix library—a reminder that you are never too old to face the monsters in the walls.
Layla Zulfa
Siti Muinah
