Stephen King, the master of modern horror, has officially given his stamp of approval to Netflix's latest sci-fi mystery, The Boroughs. The series, which premiered on May 21, comes from the creative minds behind Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, and has quickly become a streaming sensation.
King took to his Threads account to share his thoughts, writing: "THE BOROUGHS (Netflix): An absolute delight. Bonus: I believe, because it's Netflix, you can watch all the episodes. It's actually worth it." The endorsement is a major win for the show, especially given King's track record of boosting under-the-radar series like FROM into the spotlight.
Co-creator Jeffrey Addiss responded to King's praise, reflecting on the horror icon's influence on his career. "Welp. This is pretty cool. Thank you on behalf of the whole cast and crew for watching and writing," Addiss wrote. "Your work was a big influence on The Boroughs. Hell, I know I started reading your stuff far too young. Thank God. We have remembered the face of our father."
What Is 'The Boroughs' About?
Dubbed "Stranger Things for seniors," The Boroughs follows a group of elderly retirees living in a New Mexico desert community who must band together when a sinister supernatural force begins haunting them. The eight-episode series dropped all at once on Netflix, a binge-friendly approach the streamer has revived for new originals.
Within just three days of release, the show amassed over 35 million views worldwide. Critics have been equally impressed, with the series earning a near-perfect 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's Greer Riddell praised the show's "brilliant adoption of classic sci-fi conventions" and highlighted the performances of its ensemble cast, which includes Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Denis O'Hare, and Clarke Peters.
Riddell also noted that the series handles its older protagonists with sincerity and respect, refusing to "infantilize or depict them through stereotypical images of retirement." Instead, the characters are portrayed as "active, intelligent, and resilient" individuals with rich emotional lives.
The Duffer Brothers' Growing Netflix Empire
The Duffer Brothers have become synonymous with Netflix hits, much like Taylor Sheridan is with Paramount+. Their sci-fi horror juggernaut, Stranger Things, has spawned a franchise that includes an upcoming animated series set in the Upside Down. While The Boroughs was not directly written by the Duffers, they serve as executive producers, ensuring their creative fingerprints are all over the project.
For fans of tightly-paced horror, the show's success is a reminder of why the genre thrives on streaming. If you're looking for more spine-tingling recommendations, check out our list of the best tightly-paced horror movies ever. And for those who love a good sci-fi horror blend, our ultimate ranking of sci-fi horror movies is a must-read.
What's Next for 'The Boroughs'?
All eight episodes of The Boroughs Season 1 are currently streaming on Netflix. While there's no official word on a renewal yet, the strong reception—both from King and critics—suggests the odds are good. Stay tuned for updates.
In the meantime, if you're craving more supernatural mystery, consider diving into The Strain, a horror series that offers a fresh take on the genre. And for those who appreciate a good alien mystery, don't miss our exclusive sneak peek at Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day.
