The Boroughs (2026)

Old yet new. The BMX bikes have been swapped for golf carts. Hawkins, Indiana, has become a retirement community in New Mexico. There is a new Lovecraftian threat that bears some resemblance to the Demogorgons. 'The Boroughs' (2026) draws from the same nostalgic well that once made 'Stranger Things' so big. Secretly, it is quite nice to once again puzzle over the metaphysical secrets hidden behind electromagnetic radiation and a large-scale human conspiracy. It certainly brings you back to the innocent naivety of earlier seasons of ST. The tried-and-tested formula is also carried by a cast of fine aging actors. But 'The Boroughs' (2026) doesn't truly innovate anywhere. It is a warm bath of familiarity with a somewhat predictable ending.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Well... the Dull Brothers have come up with a clone of their own work. It's a kind of cotton candy in series form. Yeah, it's quite funny, the old folks together. The Dull Brothers know exactly which buttons to push. It is indeed a bit like Goonies with the elderly; I see the comparison to Spielberg too. You devour the show like a mountain of candy, and the endings of every episode are always perfectly timed. So you think, "Okay, just one more then."

The brothers follow exactly what the Netflix formula dictates. But it is. So. Predictable. Geena Davis has so much botox in her head she can't even talk normally anymore. As soon as you see that Aryan face of the boss of The Bulwarks and his wife, you know what time it is. And actually, you constantly think, "I know this already, I've seen this before but better." Well, I'll give it three stars because it's really not bad. But at the same time, it's a waste of your time and money to make something like this.

I had hoped for something a little less dull from the brothers, but this is apparently how they want to lock down their careers. What a shame. It mainly seems like they considered a number of things important:

1) no one is allowed to think this show is stupid (so you don't make something really good because that is always hate it or love it)

2) Everyone must watch all episodes and as quickly as possible in succession.

3) It must be clear who is good and who is bad, and everyone must continue to live off the good.

4) Plot holes? If you keep the pace fast enough, no one will mind.

Well, it was all executed to perfection; it will surely be watched closely. Mission accomplished. But as a viewer, you end up just like at McDonald's after eating a Big Mac.

Translated from Dutch · View original