In Peacock’s “The ‘Burbs,” Keke Palmer plays a new mom who solves mysteries in the suburbs. This is a new version of the 1989 Tom Hanks movie. This eight-episode show mixes paranoia, humor, and hidden secrets in Hinkley Hills, the “safest” cul-de-sac in the United States.
Samira Fisher (Keke Palmer), a lawyer on maternity leave, moves with her husband Rob (Jack Whitehall) to his childhood home in beautiful Hinkley Hills. She doesn’t trust Gary (Justin Kirk), who lives alone in a rundown house across the street that is rumored to have been the site of a teen’s disappearance. To help her, she teams up with her odd neighbors, like widow Lynn (Julia Duffy), ex-Marine Dana (Paula Pell), and loner Tod (Mark Proksch). Their wine-fueled sleuthing reveals the dark side of suburbia, where HOA drama and microaggressions are common.
Palmer is the show’s anchor, and her relatable paranoia and sharp wit make Samira a great Nancy Drew character. Whitehall is charming as her supportive husband, and Kirk’s distant Gary adds to the tension. Proksch, Duffy, and Pell all give great supporting performances that add a unique depth to the story. RJ Cyler is funny as Samira’s brother and makes FaceTime calls.
Critics say that Palmer’s energy makes a “mixed bag” of uneven tones and thin reveals better, but that the clumsy execution makes the suspense less strong until later episodes. It’s a fun watch that keeps you on edge with its characters’ quirks instead of its tight plot, but it changes tones and goes on for too long. Even though it has problems, the charming cast and honest suburban satire make it worth watching all at once.
