The Boroughs Review: Netflix’s Monster Mystery Gives Stranger Things a Retirement Upgrade
- Je-Ree
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
Hawkins has some competition. We've been waiting for what feels like 84 years for Strangers Things: Senior Edition and it has finally dropped. The Duffer Brothers said we would get a new supernatural adventure with some old school Hollywood A-listers. Now the question is, did the brothers deliver?
Wrinkles and Wormholes in the New Mexico Desert
The show’s premise is bizarre but in a good way. We follow Sam, a widower, played by the delightfully sympathetic Alfred Molina and our boy is being haunted with grief over the loss of his wife (Jane Kaczmarek) and his daughter wants him to stay with her but he and his wife already paid and he couldn't get out his contract but she was happy to drop him off anyway. He expects that his life will include no noise, only bingo and occasional early bird specials. Sure some quirky neighbors are expected but then he quickly discovers the resident monster.
Creepy subterranean monsters are literally sucking the little life the old people have left. Sam teams up with his neighbors aka our brave heroes who have exchanged BMX bicycles for tricked-out golf carts. There’s something fresh in watching a band of octogenarians go up against multi-dimensional attackers. We love to see it.
The Cast is the Draw
The reason this series succeeds is the absolutely legendary ensemble cast. Netflix clearly spared no expense when assembling this roster of Hollywood over 50 royalty. Alfred Molina is the soul of the series; Geena Davis steals every single scene she occupies as a rock and roll former music manager; Alfre Woodard is phenomenal as a sharp-witted retired Chicago reporter and Denis O'Hare brings a delightful chaotic energy as the neighborhood troublemaker.
The onscreen chemistry between these veteran actors is electric. Underneath the monster hunting narrative the show tackles genuine human themes like grief, dementia and the terror of aging with surprising tenderness.
Flat Villains and Flashy Music
Having said that, I have some issues with the series. While the emotional beats hit, the actual sci-fi mythology can feel a bit undercooked. The villains were flat and the CGI could've used a few more dollars. The pacing also falters in the middle episodes where the script leans heavily into corny platitudes about life being a precious gift rather than advancing the actual plot.
Luckily the incredible classic rock soundtrack curated by Nora Felder salvages the atmosphere. Perfect needle drops from David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen keep the energy high even when the plot occasionally trips.
Watch it or Skip it
Despite a few bumps and lumps, the freshman season is a triumphant success. The series delivers a highly addictive blend of horror comedy and genuine heart that will satisfy casual viewers and hardcore sci-fi fans alike. It manages to outshine many recent streaming efforts by relying on incredible performances rather than just expensive special effects.
What do you think of the new series? Head over to our comments section below to share your own thoughts on the season.
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