The Burbs
By Sioph W. Leal
Whenever there’s a new series or movie inspired by one from the past, there’s typically a gut reaction that it won’t be any good. The ‘Burbs breaks that curse! Inspired by the horror-comedy of the same starring Tom Hanks in 1989, this new version is a witty and original mystery with a dark humour that carries through the entire eight episode run.
Young couple Rob (Jack Whitehall) and Samira (Keke Palmer) relocate to his childhood home to make a better life for their new baby from the city to the suburbs since it's the safest place in America. Samira is bored, struggling with her maternity leave and the mundane qualities of suburban life but that all changes when a mysterious new neighbour takes residence in the dead of night. There’s an instant suspicion from Samira who wants to uncover all the shady things she believes new neighbour Gary (Justin Kirk) is up to. In the middle of this, the very house Gary moves into has its own mystery. The disappearance of a teenage girl years earlier still lingers in the present with Samira firmly believing Gary is responsible for no other reason than he moved into the house and is suspicious.
Keke Palmer carries the comedy expertly, grounding it in some real moments of paranoia that makes you wonder if it's just Samira’s bored mind needing to focus on something or if there is anything nefarious going on in the town and Gary. With every other character you can see her comedic elements blend greatly with the other performers, adapting to fit the mood of the scene but still carrying the feel and emotional beats of the show. Her paranoia is a mystery in and of itself, there’s nothing to warrant suspicion on Gary other than he moves into the creepy house late at night which is followed by a misunderstanding between him and Samira. Their verbal confrontations exemplify the suburban politeness of wanting to know more about a neighbour with a smile and thinly veiled snarky comment or accusation and every scene with Palmer and Kirk going to battle in some way gives the show some of its best moments. They both have the same goal but get in each other's way, which complicates and makes the mystery of the house and the town much more interesting to watch.
Through this mystery, Samira can finally connect with her new neighbours and they are quite the cast of characters. Resident historian Lynn (Julia Duffy), retired marine Dana (Paula Pell) and skeptic Todd (Mark Proksch). They’re an odd bunch that compliment and thrive off each other's unique character traits with Samira being the investigator, all leading with her interest in the Victorian house that Gary owns. There’s a good balance between all the characters, some focusing more on the comedic elements that Pell delivers flawlessly everytime and the mystery focused characters like Todd but it's Keke Palmer’s combination of both that carries the series through and makes the interest in the Victorian house the centre focus. There are times when the show gets a bit too serious it swiftly pulls back to comedy with a sharp turn that works perfectly. It’s not just Keke Palmer that can bring that balance but police officer, and former high school bully, Danny Daniels (Max Carver) that navigates those sharp turns to bring the most enjoyment.
There’s other characters that all feel unique and make the suburbs feel fleshed out and interested in all the dramas going on. HOA President (Danielle Kennedy) has a rivalry with Lynn that uncovers some more hidden secrets, Robb and childhood friend Naveen (Kapil Talwalker) have their own mystery died to the house and secrets of their own but the short episode run doesn’t give any of the mysteries time to breathe and can speed run through them before they have much interest on the plot. It’s still an enjoyable watch with a strong ensemble and moments of absurdity that make The ‘Burbs feel original instead of remake. It isn’t hindered by the weight of its inspiration. All it does is take the name and add a few nice little Easter Eggs to deepen the lore but its the mystery led and comedy second approach that brings The ‘Burbs to its success.
The ‘Burbs is a fun mystery led dark humor comedy that isn't hindered by the weight of its inspiration. All it does is take the name and add a few nice little Easter Eggs to deepen the lore but its the mystery led and comedy second approach that brings The ‘Burbs to its success. Even when it feels things are rushed, it adds to both the comedic and mysterious elements that will only grow in strength if Peacock decides to give a second season.
The ‘Burbs premieres all eight episodes on February 8th on Peacock.