Family. It can be complicated.
Many factors influence the bonds between family members, and there is nothing quite like them.
It’s love, pain, suffering, happiness, blood, sacrifice — a myriad of elements that make people willing to do anything for those they consider family.
However, for the Buckleys in Netflix’s crime thriller The Waterfront, it’s more than that.
Their futures are deeply intertwined, and a misstep by one member could bring the entire family down.
It would undo decades of work that have gone into building their legacy, which is why everyone tries to protect it.
However, their idea of protecting the family might be the very thing that ends it.
The Buckleys make a deal with the devil, kickstarting a chain of events that forces everyone to fight for everything — their futures, fortunes, freedom, and lives.
The Waterfront Hits the Ground Running and Doesn’t Let Up
The pilot episode wastes no time setting up the story and the dynamics between the characters.
I’m not a fan of fast-paced pilot episodes because they brush over essential details, but it works for The Waterfront. The breakneck speed heightens the thrill, keeping the tension tight throughout the season.
Where other shows might falter under such pacing, The Waterfront embraces it, never losing momentum.
From the start, characters are introduced, their relationships established, and it quickly becomes clear — this is no ordinary family.
When patriarch Harlan Buckley sucker-punches his son Cane, there’s no need for further proof that this family operates differently.
But don’t rush to hate Harlan just yet. Everyone in The Waterfront is complicated.
Most characters are utterly despicable. Everyone is out to save themselves, often hurting others in the process, sometimes without even realizing it.
Having flawed characters who don’t pretend to be good people serves the show well. It doesn’t have its characters spending too much time grandstanding about how they’re good people who so happen to be misunderstood.
It raises the stakes, keeping viewers acutely aware that these people are capable of anything. The person smiling at your face could be the one to end your life.
Cane feels like the only character with a moral compass and might be the only one worth rooting for. However, his appearance of morality primarily comes from inexperience, which doesn’t last long.
These characters are the beating heart of The Waterfront — vile, funny, murderous, cheating, and sometimes even sweet.
Rarely does a series boast such a rich variety of personalities.
Casting Done Right
A major reason for this is the stellar cast. The Waterfront is a well-cast show.
Going in, I wasn’t sure what to expect from many of the actors, apart from Animal Kingdom vet Jake Weary — I knew he could handle this genre.
I was pleasantly entertained when Holt McCallany delivered a standout performance. That reminds me that we need more Mindhunter.
Melissa Benoist was a genuine surprise. She was the only actor I was concerned about because after watching one or two seasons of Supergirl, I wasn’t sure she could pull off a character like Bree.
The casting director did an excellent job with them; color me proven wrong!
However, the biggest delight is the season’s antagonist, who emerges after a few episodes and steals the show.
Think of the lovechild of Oswald Cobblepot and Ed Nygma — that’s who Topher Grace embodies. Utterly hilarious and dangerous in equal measure, Grady feels like a joke that you shouldn’t let run too long.
I found myself excited for his scenes because of how unpredictable he is.
A Feast for the Eyes
Filmed in Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, The Waterfront effectively capitalizes on its setting.
Gorgeous shots of the area elevate the show, providing a visually stunning backdrop that complements the murder and crime scenes.
The cinematography effectively utilizes water bodies, sunsets, forests, and settlements to punctuate key moments, thereby enhancing the narrative and making the show even more immersive.
That, coupled with the numerous twists present throughout, makes the show a true delight.
It will scratch the itch for viewers who couldn’t stand Outer Banks for one reason or Ozark for another, because it’s a nice blend of both.
The Few Misses
There aren’t many negatives to call out in The Waterfront.
One personal disappointment was coming from 9-1-1: Lone Star, I wanted to see Rafael Silva in more scenes. Due to the nature of the narrative, he’s missing from several episodes.
That issue is rectified later, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.
The same applies to Danielle Campbell, who is criminally underutilized.
Another minor gripe is the resolution of the central conflict. It’s wrapped up too neatly, which robs the show of a truly great villain.
The show could have taken a page from The Rookie and kept some villains around for a longer period. But if it did that, maybe it wouldn’t be what it is.
By season’s end, it feels like The Waterfront has barely scratched the surface of its potential — but that’s a good thing.
The finale sets up an enticing Season 2 cliffhanger, promising even more twists and turns. A longer second season could give the show room to expand on its strongest elements.
This is one show that I’m confident will be a hit, and if it’s not, I will whip all Netflix subscribers for letting it flop.
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All episodes of The Waterfront Season 1 are available to stream worldwide on Netflix.
Watch The Waterfront
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