Netflix's latest sci-fi offering, The Boroughs, reinvents the classic 1980s-style adventure by placing it in an unexpected setting: a retirement community. While the premise of a group of friends banding together against an otherworldly threat feels familiar, the show's unique twist elevates it above typical Spielberg-inspired narratives.
A Familiar Trope with a Fresh Perspective
For decades, stories of kids on bikes uncovering alien conspiracies have dominated pop culture, from Super 8 to Stranger Things. The Boroughs follows a similar blueprint but swaps youthful protagonists for a cast of septuagenarians. The result is a series that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly original.
The Plot: Mystery in the Desert
Set in the idyllic Boroughs retirement community in the New Mexico desert, the series immediately hints at something amiss. Newcomer Sam (Alfred Molina), still grieving his wife's death, senses the unease but cannot pinpoint its source. Strange occurrences—like a resident complaining about owls in the walls—escalate when Sam accidentally captures an alien creature feeding on sleeping neighbors. This discovery plunges him and his newfound friends into a sprawling conspiracy that deepens over eight episodes.
The Cast: A Delightful Ensemble
The heart of The Boroughs lies in its characters. Sam is joined by a colorful group: the relentlessly cheerful Jack (Bill Pullman), retired journalist Judy (Alfre Woodard) and her husband Art (Clarke Peters), former music industry executive Renee (Geena Davis), and doctor Wally (Denis O'Hare), who carries a tragic history. Each character brings unique skills and charm, making them an ideal team to combat the extraterrestrial threat.
Familiar Beats, New Twists
While the series borrows elements from classic films—such as cobbling weapons from old TVs—it subverts expectations through its elderly protagonists. The characters' age adds layers of humor and poignancy, as their explanations of the alien menace are dismissed as senility. The mystery unfolds with satisfying twists, even if the final reveal feels slightly anticlimactic.
Why It Works
The show is carried by its stellar cast, whose performances make every scene enjoyable. Watching Alfre Woodard brandish a gun or Geena Davis declare her intent to “stack some bodies” is pure delight. The series stands alone as a self-contained story, avoiding the trap of overstaying its welcome. While it evokes nostalgia for '80s sci-fi, it does not rely on it, offering a fresh and engaging mystery.
The Boroughs is now streaming on Netflix, offering a unique blend of sci-fi, humor, and heart that will appeal to fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
