The Horror of Being Forgotten: What The Boroughs Gets Right and Wrong About Aging

The Duffer brothers’ latest offering, The Boroughs, is a Netflix series that tackles the unglamorized aspects of aging head-on. Set in a retirement community in the New Mexico desert, it presents an empathetic take on growing older, capturing the pain of being discarded and the joy of finding late-in-life purpose and friendship.

The show boasts an all-star cast, including Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Geena Davis, Clarke Peters, and Denis O’Hare. This ensemble embodies a refreshingly contemporary form of senior citizenship – one that’s far removed from the caricatures typically peddled by Hollywood. The characters are multidimensional, relatable, and above all, human.

Molina’s portrayal of Sam, a man struggling to cope with the loss of his wife, is a masterclass in acting; it’s both poignant and authentic. The show’s portrayal of senior relationships is equally impressive, particularly among Wally (O’Hare) and Judy (Woodard), whose camaraderie adds depth to the narrative and makes their interactions genuinely heartwarming.

However, when it comes to exploring the themes of mortality and old age, The Boroughs falls short. Rather than grappling with these complex experiences, the show resorts to platitudes. “Time is a gift,” “Why does anyone do anything? Love” – these sentiments are trite and feel like a cop-out from characters who should know better.

The tendency to oversimplify complex themes is not unique to The Boroughs. Stranger Things has been guilty of the same offense in the past, favoring spectacle over substance. It’s as if the creators believe that by layering on more ideas, they’ll create a richer narrative. Instead, this approach results in a messy, confusing show that fails to deliver on its full potential.

The Boroughs shares another similarity with Stranger Things – its reliance on a “monster” as the central plot device. While this approach worked for the earlier series, it feels like a tired trope here. The mystery monster is introduced early on, and while its presence adds an element of tension to the narrative, it ultimately feels like a MacGuffin – a placeholder for more substantial themes that never quite materialize.

The show’s cast is undeniable, and their performances are what truly elevate the series. However, if Netflix wants to create a show that genuinely explores the complexities of aging, it needs to take a harder look at its writing. Rather than relying on familiar tropes and platitudes, the creators should strive for something more nuanced – a true exploration of what it means to grow old in a society that often disregards or patronizes its elderly citizens.

As The Boroughs stumbles towards its conclusion, one thing is clear: this show has the potential to be something truly special. With a bit more attention to its themes and a willingness to take risks, Netflix’s latest sci-fi horror series could become a landmark in the genre – one that genuinely challenges our perceptions of aging and mortality.