by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
I had always heard of the 1989 film starring Tom Hanks, but I never actually got around to watching it. So, coming into the episodic series adaptation of The ’Burbs, I didn’t have any real nostalgia attached — which honestly worked in the show’s favor. Add Keke Palmer to the mix, and I was already sold.
The eight-episode series follows newlyweds and new parents Samira and Rob Fisher, played by Palmer and Jack Whitehall, who relocate from the city to Rob’s childhood home in Ashfield Place — a quiet cul-de-sac nestled in the idyllic suburb of Hinkley Hills, proudly dubbed “the safest town in America.” While Rob settles back into familiarity, Samira is left on maternity leave in a brand-new environment, stuck at home with time to observe, overthink, and people-watch. That’s when she starts noticing things that don’t quite add up — especially after someone rents the long-abandoned Victorian house across the street, vacant for over twenty years.
As Samira gets to know her neighbors, she forms a quirky little circle: the eccentric Tod (Mark Proksch), former Marine, Dana (Paula Pell), and recently widowed Lynn (Julia Duffy). Along the way, she uncovers whispers of a long-forgotten town mystery involving a missing girl from twenty years earlier. A case that Rob and his best friend Naveen (Kapil Talwalkar) seem to know far more about than they’re willing to admit. Naturally, curiosity turns into obsession, so Samira and her ragtag group of suburban sleuths dive headfirst into unraveling the truth, with plenty of chaos and comedy along the way.
Tonally, the show sometimes struggles to find its footing. It’s billed as a mystery comedy but often leans more heavily into broad comedy — sometimes to its detriment. There are moments when it gets overly corny or cringe, undercutting the tension of the mystery. Still, the cast does a lot of heavy lifting. Palmer shines, delivering sharp comedic timing and genuine charm, while Proksch, Pell, and Duffy make for a fun, reliable ensemble.
There are also a few moments that feel unnecessarily racially charged — the kind of scenes that make you roll your eyes because they don’t add much beyond stating the obvious. Not every show needs those beats, and the story would’ve been just fine without them.
One thing that really surprised me was the release strategy. Dropping the entire series on Super Bowl Sunday felt like a strange choice — especially since there was barely any promotion. If there was advertising during the game, it clearly didn’t land. It almost feels like the show was quietly released and left to fend for itself.
That said, this is one of the rare times I didn’t mind the full season drop. The ’Burbs works best as a binge — it’s a quick, breezy watch that carries you straight through to the end without much reason to pause and reflect between episodes.
The finale, “Only One Way Out,” wraps things up neatly enough while still leaving several loose threads, ending on a clear cliffhanger. A second season seems likely — and honestly, I wouldn’t mind it — but this doesn’t feel like a show that needs to stretch beyond two seasons.
There are a few nostalgic nods to the original film, with familiar faces popping up, though they’re easy to miss if you don’t already know what to look for. Did the series do anything particularly new? Not really. It’s a familiar story told in a modern way — predictable at times, occasionally too serious, occasionally too silly — but still a fun ride.
If you’re looking for something light, quick, and mildly mysterious to breeze through, The ’Burbs is worth checking out.
Rating: It Was Just Okay.
The ‘Burbs is currently streaming on Peacock.
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