The Waterfront

"The Waterfront" on Netflix builds its thrilling, visceral world on the foundation of family, a theme it explores with both impressive success and occasional fumbles. The series is carried by powerful performances, and the casting for the roles of Grady and Belle is a standout success, bringing a captivating energy to two of the show's most pivotal figures. The story skillfully explores complex themes, from the consequences of infidelity that ripple through the family to a touching arc for a lost son finding his place. It's a shame, then, that this same level of character nuance doesn't extend to the 16-year-old son, Diller, whose portrayal feels jarringly immature and detracts from the realism.

As a thriller, the series is consistently entertaining and keeps you hooked, yet while the main story barrels forward, the narrative occasionally wobbles. A significant storyline about an estate business, for instance, is left so vague and unfinished that it feels like a forgotten thread in an otherwise engaging tapestry.

Ultimately, "The Waterfront" is a compelling choice for anyone who values strong performances and a powerful core message, offering a journey that is rewarding even when it stumbles on the details.

The storyline has been compelling so far, although it sometimes seems contrived-almost as if Smurf and Billy simply abandoned the other kids and took Craig to live in North Carolina or somewhere similar. In my opinion, a spin-off of Animal Kingdom would have worked better than launching an entirely new show with nearly the same premise. Even so, the series remains quite strong overall, demonstrating solid writing and engaging character development that keep you interested each episode. Hope season two is even better. I have 78 characters that still need to be used so I am typing random stuff at this point.

It's not half bad. After reading reviews I thought I wouldn't watch. But I like Jake weary from Animal Kingdom so I decided I needed to see for myself. It's not incredible but it's pretty good. Enjoy the coastal scenery. The writing could be a little punchier and I wonder if I am really so out of the hip life with all the drug gummy's and drinking. In any case I'm enjoying the series for what it is. Absolutely need to give it 2 to 3 episodes to catch the character development. Dysfunctional family still clinging to being a family. And finding ways to survive. Are they bad? Or just caught up trying to survive?

The Waterfront is every bit as good as I had hoped for. I admit I watch a lot of tv shows but I try to only watch the really good ones. The Waterfront is one of those. I'm a big fan of crime dramas and there are lot to choose from but this one is definitely worth your time. It has the feel of a mix between Ozark, Animal Kingdom and Bloodline. While it's not as good as those 3 shows it's still pretty darn good. The cast is what makes this show so good...Holt McCallany, Jake Weary, Danielle Campbell, Topher Grace, Humberly González and Maria Bello all shine and give some of the best performances of their careers. Bottom line is this show will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.

Alright, so The Waterfront was actually pretty decent. I wasn't expecting a masterpiece, but it kept me interested enough to binge through the whole thing. The story is solid - nothing crazy original, but it's got that classic crime drama vibe that's just kinda satisfying to watch.

The ending? Not gonna lie, it didn't blow my mind, but it tied things up nicely without feeling rushed or annoying. You get some closure on the main plot, and a few loose ends left to keep you thinking. I like that balance.

The vibe reminds me a bit of Boardwalk Empire or Peaky Blinders - moody, gritty, with a lot of tension and some slick cinematography. Definitely not a happy-go-lucky show, so if you want light stuff, skip it. But if you're into slow-burning crime drama with some cool character moments, it's your jam. Actors did their thing, no huge Hollywood names, but everyone felt natural and believable. The lead was especially good at playing that tough but kinda broken dude. No overacting or cheesy lines, which I appreciated.

Would I recommend it? Yeah, if you like crime dramas and want something chill to watch. It's not the best thing ever, but it's solid and entertaining. Just don't expect some groundbreaking story or crazy plot twists.

So yeah, my personal score would be around a 7/10. Worth a watch, but not something I'd rave about for weeks.