TV Review: ‘The Boroughs’ | Moviefone

Alfred Molina as Sam in 'The Boroughs'. Photo: Netflix © 2026.

Arriving on Netflix on May 21st with all eight episodes, ‘The Boroughs’ is set in a seemingly ideal elder community where something decidedly nasty is lurking in the walls.

With ‘Stranger Things’ creators Matt and Ross Duffer as executive producers, the new show (created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews) features a cast including Alfred Molina (‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’), Geena Davis (‘Thelma & Louise’), Clarke Peters (‘The Wire’) and Denis O’Hare (‘Dallas Buyers Club’).

Related Article: ‘Stranger Things’ Final Season Brings the Series to a Satisfying End

Initial Thoughts

Geena Davis as Renee in 'The Boroughs'. Photo: Netflix © 2026.

If you’ve been craving some nostalgic chills in your life following the end of ‘Stranger Things’, then ‘The Boroughs’ might be just what you’re after. The age of the main characters might be wildly different from the young heroes of Hawkins, Indiana, but that’s a selling point since it allows some superb, mature performers the chance to shine in roles that let them dig into a diverting mystery tale.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Denis O’Hare as Wally, Alfred Molina as Sam, Alfre Woodard as Judy in 'The Boroughs'. Photo: Netflix © 2026.

Creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews infuse the show with a winning blend of sci-fi horror and good character building, slowly letting us discover what is really going on in the Boroughs community.

With Ben Taylor and Augustine Frizzell among the directors, the show has its own style, nodding towards 1980s movies and with other retro touches, while firmly grounding itself in the present in its thoughts about aging and dementia.

If the music does sometimes overdose on trying to be John Williams, it’s only an occasional gripe.

Cast and Performances

When you have heavy hitters such as Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Clarke Peters, Alfred Woodward and Denis O’Hare in your cast, it’s hard to go wrong. And as opposed to having to slot into supporting roles, they get to drive the story and show different sides.

Around them, there are some impressive other members of the ensemble including Jena Malone (as Molina’s character’s daughter), Carlos Miranda as Paz Navarro, a charming security guard who develops a connection with Davis’s Renee) and Seth Numrich as the smarmy, more-than-he-seems CEO of the whole community.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Seth Numrich as Blaine Shaw, Alice Kremelberg as Anneliese Shaw in 'The Boroughs'. Photo: Netflix © 2026.

‘The Boroughs’ might not have the sprawling ambition of ‘Stranger Things’, but the more self-contained story allows it to explore a fresh side of this genre. It’s creepy, kooky, and altogether ooky.

‘The Boroughs’ receives 75 out of 100.

What’s the plot of ‘The Boroughs’?

In a seemingly picturesque retirement community, a group of unlikely heroes must band together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don’t have –– time.