Netflix doesn’t all the time put a ton of finances behind its unique initiatives, however one particular exception appears to be its new 2025 launch The Waterfront. The present has just about every part one would should be a fascinating collection: Its solid is top-notch, it has an intriguing identify and setting, and it’s unrelentingly stunning. It’s additionally licensed contemporary on Rotten Tomatoes, however now that I am three episodes in, I nonetheless really feel prefer it’s lacking one thing.
What Do You Want To Know About The Waterfront?
Briefly the highest trending present, the freshman drama on Netflix is the No.2 present on the streamer on the time of this writing. Usually not holding out at No. 1 for just a few weeks is usually a dangerous signal, as Netflix is recognized for canceling first season reveals, however these aren’t truthful waters. In truth, The Waterfront landed on Netflix just some days earlier than Squid Recreation Season 3, and that present has simply crushed the competitors. So, on this case, No. 2 in all probability isn’t so dangerous.
The Waterfront additionally has a optimistic Rotten Tomatoes score from each the critics and the viewers, and whereas neither is the freshest score I’ve ever seen, individuals appear to be on board with the drama, which follows a household dipping its toes into the felony underworld to maintain the household enterprise afloat. It additionally stars former Supergirl Melissa Benoist, in addition to widespread Thoughts Hunter actor Holt McCallany, Dave Annable, and Maria Bello, who regardless of an Emmy nomination has been extremely underrated in Hollywood (in my view).
It helps the present is ready in a really fairly wanting fictional waterfront city in North Carolina and the present itself comes from the thoughts of Kevin Williamson, who additionally wrote the unique screenplay for Scream and has been concerned in quite a lot of different profitable franchises on the massive and small display screen (The Vampire Diaries, I Know What You Did Final Summer time, The Following).
On paper, it is a recipe for achievement, however is The Waterfront really a binge-worthy Netflix present?
Is The Waterfront Really Price Watching Although?
Pay attention, I get {that a} 65% score means individuals like one thing fairly properly and never loopy properly. I additionally perceive that I’m solely three episodes into this eight-episode season and haven’t seen every part the brand new drama has to supply but, however given the way in which these with a Netflix subscription have been consuming The Waterfront, I’ve to suppose individuals discover it ok to keep it up.
From my standpoint, nevertheless, whereas the present is often well-drawn and options some good performances, I simply can’t assist however have the next issues with it to this point:
- The present is supposed to be overly dramatic however there are additionally random acts of violence which might be used as shock worth in a approach I discovered grossly underwhelming.
- Melissa Benoist is sort of unrecognizable on this function in comparison with her character in Supergirl, and I don’t need to take away from her efficiency, in any respect. Nevertheless, she and many of the characters on this collection are deeply unlikable and I’m probably not rooting for anybody.
- One thing about the way in which this present is written irritates me. I can’t totally put a finger on it, however The Waterfront takes itself very significantly, and I believe we might have been higher served if it was just a little fluffier, and tonally nearer to one thing like Revenge.
I’ve been advised by a coworker who has additionally been protecting The Waterfront that issues actually begin heating up in Episode 4, so I’m holding out hope the story begins to anchor its approach in my coronary heart. It’s true that some reveals actually take most of a season or a full season to get some wind underneath their belt. However for now, I really feel a bit adrift whereas watching.
Keep tuned, as a result of I am hoping the journey to the top will likely be price it.