The Boroughs review: Stranger Things follow up doesn’t quite hit the mark

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Okay, so after creating something as huge as Stranger Things, what do you do next? Well, the Duffer Brothers are back on Netflix with another show that’s got that same supernatural vibe, but this time it feels a little different – think spooky like Hawkins, but with a cozy, mystery-solving group of friends, almost like something Agatha Christie might write.

Sam (Alfred Molina) expected retirement to be peaceful, but it’s turned out to be quite the opposite. After his wife passed away, he hesitantly agreed to move to a beautiful retirement community in New Mexico, mostly to put his daughter, Claire (Jena Malone), at ease.

I was immediately charmed when Arthur was greeted by his overly enthusiastic, but well-meaning, neighbor Jack. It wasn’t long before he found himself swept up in the company of the most wonderful group of retirees! There was Judy, a sharp and insightful retired reporter, and her delightful husband, Art – a real character! Then there was Wally, a former doctor with a fantastic sense of humor, and the glamorous, romantic Renee. They were all so full of life and opinions, always debating how to make the world a better place, and Arthur quickly became one of them.

Sam quickly discovers something strange is happening in The Boroughs, and he and his friends must confront the creatures causing trouble. All the while, he’s trying to reassure his daughter that he’s still with it.

This supernatural mystery series, set in a small town and described by its creators as focusing on a group of endearing underdogs, naturally shares similarities with Stranger Things. However, The Boroughs struggles to truly stand out as its own unique story.

Created by the writers of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews), this eight-episode show attempts to cover too much ground, and unfortunately, its monsters don’t measure up to those seen in shows like Stranger Things.

The show initially presents a frightening monster with a disturbing habit, suggesting a deadly danger for the residents of The Boroughs. However, about halfway through, the story unexpectedly changes direction, offering a different explanation for the supernatural events. Unfortunately, this leads to a somewhat underwhelming conclusion and villains who aren’t particularly compelling.

The show boasts a large and impressive cast, which is both a strength and a weakness. The beginning takes time to introduce all the characters and get viewers to care about them, making the first few episodes feel a bit slow. However, once the story gets going, it’s really enjoyable.

O’Hare gives a moving performance as a lifesaver confronting his own death, balancing it with clever humor. Peters and Woodard beautifully capture the difficulties of a long marriage, and the realization that even after forty years, love can sometimes fade. Molina also delivers a heartfelt portrayal of a man struggling with grief after losing the person he loved most.

The show is genuinely enjoyable, mostly because of the performances by O’Hare and Davis. Their characters, Wally and Renee, have a fantastic friendship built around cocktails and neighborhood gossip. It’s also filled with over-the-top, silly moments – one highlight involves Davis in a scene reminiscent of ‘Thelma & Louise.’ You can tell the actors are having a great time, and that energy is contagious.

Despite its flaws and scary moments, The Boroughs is a genuinely sweet and touching series. It makes you think about big things like life, getting older, and death, and explores the lengths people will go to for their loved ones.

The Boroughs is available to stream on Netflix now.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before joining TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-05-21 10:35