With a dose of paranoia and a charming cast, ‘The ‘Burbs’ draws you into its mystery

by

The new Peacock series “The ‘Burbs,” which premieres Sunday, shares a name and similar feel with the 1989 Tom Hanks movie. Starring Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall, the show follows a newly married couple with a baby who move into his childhood home in Hinkley Hills – a town that boasts being the safest in America – while his parents are away on an extended cruise. Both the series and the film are set on a Universal Studios backlot street and share a slightly paranoid tone.

Of course not. The idea of a truly safe town is a myth. And realistically, no one would create an eight-hour show with a cliffhanger ending about a place where nothing bad ever happens. Even in a seemingly peaceful town like Mayberry, Sheriff Taylor occasionally had to deal with trouble. In American culture, suburbs and small towns are frequently used as settings to explore hidden problems, sadness, shocking events, and even humor. Think of the works of John Cheever, the novels of Stephen King, and shows and movies like “The Stepford Wives,” “Blue Velvet,” “Twin Peaks,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and even last year’s “Grosse Pointe Garden Society” – the list goes on and on. These stories all use small-town settings to explore the darker side of life.

Samira Fisher, a civil litigation lawyer currently on maternity leave, is naturally curious and analytical – traits that suit her profession. Her husband, Rob, works as a book editor, a detail mentioned briefly but which provides a setting for scenes of his commute to the city with his childhood friend, Naveen. Naveen is going through a difficult time, as his wife recently left him for their dentist. Samira, Naveen, and Rory, an exceptionally accomplished pre-teen with an impressive resume (including a swaddling merit badge, a recommendation from Michelle Obama, and a notary license), are the only people of color in their town. While they occasionally encounter subtle prejudice – like a librarian’s awkward comment about baby Miles – overt racism isn’t a major theme. Naveen observes that the town prides itself on being welcoming, and people generally try to live up to that image.

The Fishers have recently moved to Ashfield Place, just off Ashfield Street and near Ashfield Crescent, but haven’t been there long. Aside from Naveen, no one in the family has met or even spoken to their new neighbors. Samira, feeling vulnerable after giving birth, only takes Miles for walks at night and mostly observes the neighborhood from her window.

The show could be truly groundbreaking, or it will fall flat. The central character becomes intrigued by an old, abandoned house – it’s actually the same lot where the Munsters’ house once stood. She starts investigating a rumor that a teenage girl was murdered and buried on the property by her parents two decades ago, and then the parents vanished. Despite someone dismissing it as a false lead, that denial actually hints that there might be something to the story.

Samira quickly finds a unique group of friends in her new town: Lynn, a widow who still fondly remembers her husband; Dana, a retired Marine whose wife is serving overseas in a secret location; and Tod, a quiet, dry-witted man who’s a jack-of-all-trades and gets around on a recumbent tricycle. They all have a common enemy in Agnes, the stern president of the homeowner’s association. They connect over wine and rally around Samira when the police question her at her house. By the end of the first episode, Samira decides to stay in Hinkley Hills, feeling welcomed by her new friends, charmed by the fireflies, and captivated by the peaceful atmosphere.

The setup of strange events happening in a spooky, supposedly haunted house is a classic formula for horror-comedy mysteries – think of old films like “Scared Stiff,” “The Ghost Breakers,” and “Hold That Ghost.” In this story, one such house suddenly goes on the market and is quickly sold. The new owner, Gary (Justin Kirk), is very protective and doesn’t want anyone near the property. His elaborate security system raises eyebrows, as it seems excessive for a normal home, suggesting he’s either afraid or concealing something – or both. The story intends for the audience to find Gary suspicious, and one character, Samira, definitely does.

Celeste Hughey’s film, “The ‘Burbs,” is enjoyable and entertaining, though not particularly sophisticated. If you asked me what I thought, I’d probably say it’s just a good time. While the plot generally makes sense, it doesn’t always flow seamlessly, and it feels a bit long – a common trait in modern movies – which weakens the suspense. The characters aren’t deeply developed, but they’re developed enough, and the actors all play their roles well. Just like the Hardy Boys mysteries I used to read – and I read a lot of those – the focus is on twists and turns, not psychological complexity. Trying to make a deceptive character too sympathetic actually ruins the surprise; as a viewer, it feels like a letdown. I won’t spoil whether that happens in this film.

Look, the acting is genuinely fantastic. I’d watch anything with Pell and Duffy in it, seriously. And Proksch, who you might know from “On Cinema at the Cinema,” is just wonderfully strange and unique. Whitehall, the comedian, is surprisingly good as a romantic lead! Kirk is perfectly aloof, which works really well. RJ Cyler as Samira’s brother doesn’t have a huge part, but he’s a breath of fresh air whenever he’s on screen, especially since he’s not tangled up in all the main drama. And Palmer? She’s a pro – she was in “Akeelah and the Bee” way back when – and she does these amazing little things with her expressions and voice. She’s a brilliant Nancy Drew, and honestly, we can never have too many Nancys!

Read More

2026-02-07 14:01