ALL TOO FAMILIAR

Netflix's The Waterfront is a predictable crime drama that struggles to stand out despite solid performances from the cast

- Story by TATAT BUNNAG

With the premise of a dysfunctional family in a small coastal town entangled in criminal dealings under the guise of protecting their legacy, The Waterfront, Netflix's new original series, tries to blend slow-burn crime drama with bursts of action and emotional intensity. Across eight episodes, however, the show struggles to distinguish itself from a growing list of similarly themed dramas, despite its efforts to offer gritty realism and familial tension.

The concept is compelling on paper — a family in free fall, a crumbling fishing empire and deep-seated secrets resurfacing as external threats close in. But viewers who have seen series like Ozark, Outer Banks, or even more recent entries such as The Perfect Couple or The Better Sister, may find that The Waterfront treads far too familiar ground. It follows many of the same narrative beats — power struggles, betrayals, generational trauma and mounting desperation — which quickly gives the show an air of predictability and, at times, monotony.

That said, The Waterfront is not without its strengths. The performances from the core cast help carry the material and infuse life into an otherwise formulaic script. Holt McCallany brings gravitas and stoicism to his role as Harlan Buckley, the ailing patriarch who's recovering from two heart attacks and struggling to reclaim his authority. Maria Bello is sharp and fiery as Belle, his pragmatic and increasingly ruthless wife. Jake Weary plays the volatile son Cane with raw intensity, while Topher Grace appears in a supporting role that brings an understated tension to the ensemble.