Let me start by saying: If Ozark and Dawson’s Creek got drunk on expired rosé and decided to raise a lovechild in rehab, The Waterfront would be that baby. And trust me—it’s got all the messy DNA: generational trauma, morally compromised dads, broody daughters with custody issues, and enough alcohol-fueled decisions to fill the bay of Havenport, North Carolina.
Inspired by “true events” (aren’t we all?), The Waterfront plops us into the fishy underbelly of a North Carolina empire that’s rotting faster than last week’s catch. The Buckley family is clinging to power like it’s the last box of wine on the boat—and spoiler alert: it’s not going well.
Bree Buckley: Broken But Trying
Let’s talk about Bree. Our sober sister. She’s got the recovering addict storyline down: out of rehab, desperately wanting solo visitation rights with her son, and making questionable decisions like falling for a DEA agent she met in rehab. Yes, really. At first, I was like, “Okay, Bree, this could be spicy,” but by episode six, I was chanting “Girl, no” at the screen, as if I were trying to stop her from texting her ex at 2 AM.
Still, I guess her journey felt real(ish). The push-pull of trying to do the right thing while your entire family is triggering AF? Been there. Cried there. Moved out of there. I wanted more from her character.
Harlan Buckley: Daddy Issues, With a Bourbon Back
Then there’s Harlan, the patriarch with a heart condition, a whiskey problem, and apparently zero zipper control. If there’s a bad decision to be made, Harlan makes it with a cigar in one hand and a mistress in the other. He’s the kind of guy who says he’s quitting drinking right after this one, and you already know how that story ends.
He’s exhausting. And that’s exactly the point.
Maria Bello Deserves Better Men
Let’s take a holy pause for Maria Bello, who graces this chaos in her power blazers and calm, commanding presence. Her character, Mae Buckley, is basically the only adult in the room, holding the family’s financial scraps together with duct tape, side-eye, and what I assume is a Xanax prescription. She’s giving “I will burn this whole place down and smile while doing it” energy, and honestly? I respect it.
Also, sidenote: if you haven’t read Whatever… Love Is Love, do yourself a favor and order it now. Her real-life wisdom is deeper than anything these Buckleys are serving up.
Cane Buckley: Just… No
Now let’s talk about Cane Buckley, the brooding, beer-swigging golden boy of the Buckley brood. He’s married to the homecoming queen, living the local golden child life—and yet somehow still pining for his high school sweetheart, Jenna Tate, who has returned to town because her dad is dying. Because, of course, she has.
I could not be less interested in this rehashed soap-opera subplot. Cane mopes. Cane stares longingly. Cane sighs heavily while looking out over the water. Cane tries to make emotional infidelity look noble. I’m sorry, but someone hand this man a journal and tell him to get over it.
Peyton Buckley: Sharp, Shady, and Surprisingly Graceful
And then there’s Peyton, the Cane’s wife, played by Danielle Campbell, who came here to chew gum and steal scenes—and she’s fresh outta gum. Sure, she’s a little mean-girl adjacent, but in that scene with Jenna? Total class act. She steps up when no one else would, offering grace to the woman her husband is clearly still obsessed with—despite his vows and a total lack of subtlety.
Peyton might be a bitch, but she’s a principled bitch. And honestly, those are the best kind.
Final Thoughts: Good Enough, But I Slept Through the Finale
Look, The Waterfront is fine. It mostly held my attention, but I straight up dozed off during the final episode—which tells you everything you need to know. It’s beautifully shot, moderately engaging, and chock-full of dysfunction, but ultimately, it felt like watching someone else’s family vacation meltdown from a safe distance. Entertaining, but not life-changing.
If you’re craving summer drama with rehab storylines, a troubled fish empire, and a lot of “why are we like this” moments, then throw it on. Just don’t expect it to make your top 10.
Verdict: Catch it if you’re in the mood for Netflix-flavored dysfunction. Just maybe skip the finale nap-free.
The Mindful Binge Sobees Score: 3 out of 5
Streaming on: Netflix
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 Sobees)
Mood: Moody. Melodramatic. Mildly Addictive. (If you’ve got nothing better to watch.)
Best Paired With: A strong mocktail from our HAPPY EVERY HOUR section, a skeptical side-eye, and low expectations for the finale.
The Waterfront Trailer
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