‘The Boroughs’ brings a lively group of seniors into a predictable sci-fi adventure

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Netflix is now streaming “The Boroughs,” a quirky eight-episode sci-fi comedy-drama featuring some fantastic actors I really love – Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, and Geena Davis.

Hector Molina stars as Sam Cooper, a retired engineer whose wife, Lily (played by Jane Kaczmarek in flashbacks), had planned their move to the Boroughs before her sudden death. The Boroughs is a luxurious, large-scale retirement community located in the Southwestern desert. Sam reluctantly moves there alone, pushed by his daughter Claire (Jena Malone) and son-in-law Neil (Rafael Casal). The memory of dancing with Lily to Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” will be a recurring theme throughout the series. The town itself is designed with concentric circles, reminiscent of the original vision for Disney’s EPCOT, though that connection isn’t relevant to the show’s plot.

Before the main story begins, we’re introduced to Grace, played by Dee Wallace, known from “E.T.” She used to live in Sam’s new house. It quickly becomes clear she’s encountered something otherworldly, and she doesn’t survive the opening scenes. We soon learn a monster is on the loose. Even before Sam gets settled, he’s attacked by Grace’s husband, Edward (Ed Begley Jr.), who’s escaped from a disturbing memory care facility – it feels more like the setting of “Squid Game” than a place for elderly care. Edward rambles about a key and an owl, unintentionally turning Sam into an investigator.

The diner is now managed by the young Blaine Shaw (Seth Numrich), who inherited it from his father, and his father before him. He’s married to the striking Anneliese (Alice Kremelberg). The film subtly hints at their mysterious nature – a clip from the classic film noir “Double Indemnity,” featuring blonde Barbara Stanwyck, plays in the background. Blaine and Anneliese appear unnervingly polished, and it quickly becomes clear that something isn’t quite right with them.

Television

Recently, the actress known for her roles in ‘Thelma & Louise’ and ‘A League of Their Own’ has been gaining attention for her work in Netflix’s ‘The Boroughs’ and a special appearance at the Coachella music festival.

Sam is deeply saddened by a loss and keeps to himself at first, until a friendly former weatherman named Jack helps him open up. He meets Judy, a former reporter, and her husband Art, a laid-back retiree who claims to play golf but secretly cultivates mushrooms in a deserted town, hoping to find a deeper meaning in life. Their neighbor, Wally, used to be a doctor but now faces his own health crisis – a terminal cancer diagnosis he keeps hidden. Despite their individual struggles and complex relationships, the group finds a unique way to connect: exploring dark, underground tunnels together, sharing lighthearted conversation as they navigate the unknown.

Viola Davis plays Renee Joyce, a music manager who moved to the Boroughs to live with her mother after her husband stole her savings and decided to stay. Renee is likely the youngest of the group, though you might be surprised to learn how old Davis actually is! She’ll develop a connection with Paz Navarro (Carlos Miranda), a kind security guard who used to play drums. They both share a love for Barbra Streisand and even attended Glastonbury in 2010—quite a coincidence! Paz will be kept busy as a classic team—the kind that’s always satisfying to watch—starts to form.

Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews created the series. They previously collaborated on the 2018 puppet show “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” and borrowed some key ideas from it, like the importance of life force and a powerful female leader (referred to as “Mother” in both stories). Their 2020 film, “Life in a Year,” also shares similar themes of loss and mortality. It’s likely they were also inspired by Ron Howard’s 1985 film “Cocoon,” particularly its focus on elderly characters and a retirement home setting, during the development of this series.

“The Boroughs” feels familiar, drawing on classic elements from past paranormal stories, and that’s perfectly okay. In a series like this, unexpected twists could actually be a bad sign, and it’s more important to enjoy the characters. This isn’t a show aiming for shocking surprises, and it embraces a charming, old-school style – think of the fun, low-budget horror films of Roger Corman. Once you settle into its gentle, heartfelt vibe – accepting that it’s a bit silly and doesn’t always need to make perfect sense – you’ll find it’s a genuinely enjoyable experience. It’s not trying to scare or upset you, just entertain.

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2026-05-21 23:31