I’m Hooked on Netflix’s THE BOROUGHS

Bonnie DeShong

I usually don’t have the opportunity to sit and watch television, let alone binge-watch a series; however, recently, a friend, knowing I like sci-fi and horror films, suggested I check out the Netflix series The Boroughs.

I popped my popcorn, sat in the middle of my bed, ready for what I thought would be just a taste of the series, only to find myself completely unable to stop.

The story follows Sam Cooper (portrayed by the legendary Alfred Molina), a widowed engineer grieving the loss of his wife, Lilly. His daughter’s insistence that he move into the picturesque senior community known as The Boroughs, despite his initial resistance, sets the stage for this unusual yet interesting story.

The Boroughs isn’t just a run-of-the-mill retirement community; it’s vibrant with characters who have as much life as they do history. Geena Davis’s portrayal of Renee, the spirited art teacher, and Bill Pullman as the convivial Jack Willard make for a dynamic ensemble. And don’t get me started on Judy and Art Daniels, a couple played by Alfred Woodard and Clarke Peters, who bring a free-spirited, pot-smoking, mushroom-munching vibe to the ensemble. At the same time, Denis O’Hare’s Wally Baker injects raw humor with his antics.

I know this sounds wild, but stay with me.  The Boroughs is run by the very handsome and charismatic Blaine Shaw (Seth Numrich) and his beautiful wife, Anneliese Shaw (Alice Kremelberg). They are both just too perfect.

In a nutshell, Sam sees Jack being killed by a creature and realizes something is not right in this perfect place.  He and Wally team up to find out what really killed Jack and the other residents.  Judy, Renee, and Art join them to find hidden tunnels, supernatural trees, and an entity called Mother.

I don’t want to give away all the plot because that’s the fun with sci-fi and horror, which is figuring out what is going on and who the true villains are.

The brilliance of “The Boroughs” lies not only in its thrilling plot twists but in its celebration of characters over sixty who are depicted as vibrant, intelligent, and deeply involved in the narrative’s unraveling, a true rarity in film and television. As these mature characters navigate their fears and form meaningful connections, the story elegantly weaves together themes of human connection, morality, and resilience.

Netflix explains The Boroughs as blending sci-fi, horror, and mystery, emphasizing human connection, morality, and resilience in later life. It has been described as a “Stranger Things for grownups,” combining suspenseful storytelling with emotional depth.

To sum it up, I’m giving “The Boroughs” a solid 4 Winks of the Eye. It’s a thrilling ride worth the binge, and I promise it’ll keep your eyes glued to the screen and your imagination soaring.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!