Netflix's latest sci-fi offering, The Boroughs, has sparked a polarising response among viewers, with some branding it a 'geriatric' version of Stranger Things. The eight-episode series, created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews and executive produced by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, premiered on Thursday to a 95 percent critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Star-Studded Cast
The show boasts an ensemble cast including Geena Davis, Bill Pullman, Alfred Molina, Denis O'Hare, Clarke Peters, and Alfre Woodard. They portray a group of misfit residents in a retirement community who unite to uncover a dark secret, proving that their 'golden years' are far more dangerous than anticipated.
Viewer Reactions
On social media platform X, opinions have been sharply divided. One user posted, 'The Boroughs is basically geriatric Stranger Things.' Another agreed, calling it 'giving Stranger Things a bit but with elderly people,' though they added it was a 'nice watch.' A third critic wrote, 'I turned on The Boroughs on Netflix and The Duffer brothers really said copy and paste lmao I know they pitched this as Stranger Things meets an old folks community.'
Not all feedback has been positive. One viewer lambasted the show as 'awful,' stating, 'The first 10 mins of the first episode I hated this show. It’s entirely derivative, every line from every character is delivered with the least authentic approach you could imagine. Each scene is bolstered by a soundtrack and editing that tries to force meaning and only manages to annoy. Do not recommend.'
Praise for the Series
Conversely, many have praised the series. One fan found it 'so interesting! Old people lifestyle PLUS sci-fi? I am so in.' Another declared, 'The Boroughs is great. And I’m only on the second episode.' A third described it as 'easy good entertainment,' while a fourth argued it's 'actually worth watching' and 'not Stranger Things.'
'Definitely a must-watch on Netflix,' another commented. 'Entire cast was awesome.' A viewer wrote, 'The Boroughs on Netflix is the first non-reality/documentary show to catch my attention in a minute like it’s sooo cute and entertaining.'
Future Plans
Should the series be renewed, co-creator Addiss revealed they have 'a very specific three-season plan.' He told IGN, 'We think we know the last shot of the last scene of the last episode. How we get there might change a little, but we have the answers to all the questions, and a plan of how and when to answer those. We wanted season one to feel emotionally complete, but leave some questions unanswered. We really wanted you to feel like you got a full story, in case that’s all we get.'
The Boroughs is streaming now on Netflix.
