The Waterfront

I've been looking forward to The Waterfront ever since I first saw the trailer for this. I started watching this with my brother the day it came out and binged all 8 episodes in a day. I know but I've been sick and had nothing else to do. I loved it. The Waterfront is based off a true story about the Buckley family and their crumbling North Carolina fishing empire. Their on the verge of losing everything and to regain control of their empire they have to get back into transporting drugs and dealing with some very dangerous people. The entire cast is amazing, led by the always good Holt McCallany. He's good in just about everything he does but Jake Weary (Animal Kingdom), Melissa Benoist (Supergirl) and Danielle Campbell (Supernatural) all give star turning performances that will definitely lead to bigger things for all of them. I can't recommend this series enough.

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.

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.

"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.

Got through it in a couple days. It is intriguing enough. If you compare everything to your favorite family goes bad shows then it ranks somewhere in the middle. It's not going to blow anyone away but it has good actors and it is worth it just for Maria Bello who plays the matriarch. She has come a long way from Coyote Ugly but I have enjoyed her in the last few projects i have seen her in. The story has a few good twists and I do hope it has a second season. This is not really a show that it going to wow anyone but it is an easy watch and most of the characters are interesting enough and the ending does leave you wanting more. I would put it somewhere between a 6 and 8 depending on your mood and proclivity for dysfunctional criminal families.