The Boroughs Review

There’s something to be said for a show that is up to its neck with actors of a certain age who have decades of experience in front of the camera. It’s not always true that this particular line-up leads to television gold, but more often than not – especially when paired with an interesting, unique story that takes advantage of the assembled talent – you know you’re at least going to get to see some noted actors give it their all. Luckily for us, in the case of The Boroughs, the new series from Netflix, this stellar cast is presented with some pretty darn great writing (and directing, and make-up, and special effects) that let them really dive into the material.

The story is, on its face, a pretty simple one. In the cold open, we see that Grace (played by Dee Wallace, aka the mom from ET) is attacked by a mysterious creature in her home on a calm cul-du-sac in a retirement community. Her friends and neighbors simply assume she died as the result of old age, which frees up her home for the next name on the waiting list: Sam Cooper (a great Alfred Molina). Living in The Boroughs was the dream of his late wife, Lilly (Jane Kaczmarek, appearing in flashbacks), and a grieving Sam wants nothing to do with the place – the home, the people, the experience, any of it. His stressed daughter Claire (Jena Malone) begs him to reconsider – he cannot live alone back in Chicago, she doesn’t have room for him in her small home (which also houses her vapid husband and two children), and he needs more help that he thinks he does. So, Sam is unloaded in this new place and promptly is a jerk to his neighbors – which include Jack (Bill Pullman), Wally (Denis O’Hare), Renee (Geena Davis), and couple Judy and Art (Alfre Woodard and Clarke Peters). See – this cast is absolutely stacked with heavy hitters. When Sam encounters the same entity that killed Grace, he starts to unravel a bit – until he manages to convince some of those neighbors that something is very wrong at The Boroughs, leading to a team up in an attempt to get to the bottom of this monster mystery.

I’ve seen the series referred to as “Stranger Things with old people,” and while that’s not totally wrong – there’s a creepy, potentially extra-terrestrial, threat trying to take over a town of sorts and no one is doing anything about it (or are they . . .). And yes, the Duffer Brothers are executive producers on the series (although it was created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews). But that’s about where the similarities end. For one, the story is much more cohesive and coherent than Stranger Things, keeping the mystery contained to the titular retirement community and not as a cancerous, amorphous threat to the world at large. The characters work against local antagonists whose wants are pretty obvious. And our heroes, while they might need some time to work through interpersonal struggles – and their goals might be at odds at times – are much better equipped to take on this threat than a bunch of adolescents. There’s also something all the more compelling when people of a certain age reckon with large themes like love, loss, grief, and forgiveness. And we get that in spades.

But perhaps most importantly, the writers know what they have in this cast and let them cook. We get to see Molina trudge through the stages of grief, with Sam slowly opening himself back up to others around him. We get to see O’Hare chew the scenery while being snarky, as Wally faces his mortality with some truly hard personal choices. We get to see that Davis and Pullman remain just as charismatic and charming as they were back in their heyday. And Woodard and Peters? They’re asked to delve into the inner workings of a long-term marriage, how it can atrophy, how love can grow and change as people do – even if that love never really leaves you. It’s some of the harder, less flashy work in the series, but they’re both great at it. Heck, we even get a one-off guest spot from Mary McDonnell and Anna Deavere Smith as two residents who might have some key information for Sam. This cast is truly exceptional.

And, you know what? The show is also fun and creepy. Not to the level of a Widows Bay, but it’s got a lot of the same tonal DNA. This cast is clearly having a blast. The writing is sharp and doesn’t take itself too seriously. This isn’t a story that is going to change the world – but it’s a complete season of storytelling. As in, there’s no cliffhanger, even if there’s a tease for what might be coming in a second season (and with how well the show is doing, I’d be shocked if there wasn’t one). So, if you’re looking for a fun show with some truly exceptional actors having a great time, The Boroughs is right up your alley.

The Boroughs is streaming on Netflix. All episodes are available.