Netflix's The Waterfront opens like a foghorn in the distance: low, haunting, and just intriguing enough to make you lean in. Much in Ozark style.
The first episode sets the stage for a tangled family drama drenched in coastal grit. We're introduced to the Buckleys, a powerful seaside clan whose grip on their town is slipping beneath the surface. It's moody, slow-burning, and feels like something dark is brewing just out of frame.
Visually, it's stunning with muted blues, peeling paint, and wind-battered boardwalks make the setting feel like a character in its own right. But the real hook is the tension. Quiet conversations are laced with unspoken threats, and long-held secrets feel ready to burst.
The cast is spot-on. Holt McCallany, fresh from Mindhunter, brings quiet menace as patriarch Harlan Buckley, while Jake Weary (Animal Kingdom's Deran) plays son Cane with just enough charm to cover his desperation. Maria Bello simmers with controlled intensity, hinting at deeper ambitions. We only get a glimpse of Melissa Benoist, but it's enough to suggest her character has fire waiting to ignite.
Dialogue is sharp but sparing. This is a show that trusts its silences.
If you're expecting car chases and gunfights, look elsewhere. But if you like your drama slow, sharp, and heavy with atmosphere, The Waterfront is worth the dive.
Verdict: Promising start. Stick around, the tide's rising.
