Netflix’s 8-Part Stranger Things Followup Borrows From A Divisive ’80s Sci-Fi

While the next show from the creators of Stranger Things looks like a lot of fun, the Netflix sci-fi series also bears a close resemblance to an existing ‘80s cult classic. Although the Stranger Things series finale came and went in December 2025, the show’s story is far from over. On the contrary, the animated interquel Tales from ’85 arrives soon.

This lighter, more family-friendly series takes a look at what Hopper, Eleven, Lucas, Mike, Max, Steve, Dustin, and Will got up to between seasons 2 and 3 of the original show, while also introducing a handful of new characters. Similarly, author Caitlyn Schneiderhan’s spinoff novel Stranger Things: One Way or Another fills in the blanks between season 4 and 5.

While a lot of fans are eager to see how these spinoffs flesh out the world of the series and deepen the lore of its existing characters, many viewers also want to see new projects from the show’s creators. Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers produced Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, and their next project, The Boroughs, arrives in May.

The Duffer Brothers’ The Boroughs Looks A Lot Like 1985’s Cocoon

Set in the titular retirement village, The Boroughs follows a group of elderly residents who realize that something strange lurks beneath the idyllic veneer of their shared home. According to the synopsis, these heroes work together to stop an “otherworldly threat” from taking the little time that they have left.

However, if that all sounds as gloomy and scary as Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, viewers should check the show’s trailer before setting their expectations. On the contrary, although The Boroughs features moments of peril, the show seems to be closer in tone to E.T the Extra-Terrestrial than The Thing.

In fact, the playful tone of the trailer suggests a project reminiscent of director Joe Dante’s underrated 1985 effort Explorers, or, more pointedly, a stealth remake of director Ron Howard’s 1985 hit Cocoon. After all, both Cocoon and The Boroughs tell the story of aliens invading a retirement village and reinvigorating the residents with their presence.

In Cocoon, a group of likable retirees played by screen veterans like Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, and Brian Dennehyy get a new lease on life thanks to the emergence of mysterious but benevolent aliens. Thus, the revelation that the alien presence is not entirely unwelcome in the trailer for The Boroughs is very directly reminiscent of Cocoon.

This new series also threatens to bring back one of the most divisive parts of Stranger Things season 5 as the Duffer Brothers’ follow-up looks as light and comedic as that long-awaited final outing. However, this may not be an issue, since season 5 had preceding seasons with dark stories, whereas The Boroughs will seemingly have a sunnier, funnier tone from the jump.

The Boroughs Is More Than Just ’80s Nostalgia

Image via Netflix

Furthermore, The Boroughs isn’t entirely bereft of scares, unlike Cocoon. Howard’s earlier movie is a straightforward sci-fi dramedy with no elements of horror, whereas the trailer for The Boroughs makes its clear that its otherworldly presence is at least somewhat threatening, even if it is also awe-inspiring.

Shots of Denis O’Hare’s Wally marveling at a room filled with bio luminescent blue lights are contrasted with foreboding glimpses of slimy, clawed hands in silhouette. This, along with the sight of one unfortunate resident getting dragged away by some sort of monster, seems to indicate that The Boroughs blends Cocoon with Alien.

The show is effectively a remake of Cocoon, but its hints of creepiness, however light they may be, mean that the show can avoid becoming as overly sentimental and schmaltzy as the original movie. Although Cocoon was received moderately well by critics, even the kindest reviewers admitted that Howard’s movie may be too saccharine for some audiences.

The Boroughs Has The Potential To Be Truly Great

In contrast, The Boroughs hints at the elderly heroes arming themselves to take on this threat, meaning the show is more likely to have a sense of urgency that Cocoon’s story sorely lacked. Although The Boroughs won’t arrive on Netflix until mid-May, the show’s potential is already evident.

With a stacked cast that includes Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Alfred Molina, Ed Begley Jr, Jane Kaczmarek, and Dee Wallace, The Boroughs is already halfway to greatness thanks to its lineup alone. The show’s addition of a dark edge to the premise of Cocoon only makes this better.

While Cocoon received good reviews and remains a guilty pleasure among ‘80s sci-fi aficionados, its vision of a benign alien visitation was lacking bite. In contrast, The Boroughs can bring a little more darkness to proceedings while its sense of humor and superb cast still ensure the show remains fun and funny.

Related

The Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things Replacement Reverses The Original Show’s Premise

A thrilling new series from the creators of Stranger Things is on the horizon, but with a twist that risks the showrunners’ successful formula.

After the critical success of Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen and the mixed response to Stranger Things season 5’s lighter tone, it would have been easy for the Duffer Brothers to double down on darker, edgier projects. However, The Boroughs proves that the playful attitude of later Stranger Things outings isn’t gone yet.

Release Date

2016 – 2025-00-00

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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