The Neighbors (2014–2019) User Reviews

..was not sure about watching.. very pleasantly surprised..

[bjarias · 8/10 · 30 March 2018]

Nieuwe buren.. (New Neighbors).. or The Swingers (poor choice).. through two seasons this show retains interest. The cast is solid, with many outstanding performances, and the writing is well up to their abilities. The only negative comment would be that the subtitles in season two are not al all easy to read and keep up with. Outside of that minor flaw, it is a fine overall production. The third season just aired in March, and it's hoped it will soon be made available for viewing.

It's not divulging much to say that quite a few of the characters do not make it through the first and second seasons (killing comes frequently) , as cast credits indicates whose making it through all thirty of the episodes to date. An interesting premise, with much of the allure generated by the lead actor.. she is no less than outstanding. It will be most interesting to see if they are able to sustain it all through another season(s). I'd say don't pass it up. ..

Far better than the British version - at least to start with!

[nigelsmithson · 8/10 · 10 December 2023]

I watched the British version of this drama first (The Couple Next Door - 2023). This original 2014 Dutch version (if you are happy to view by sub titles) is far superior.

Firstly, the acting is of a higher quality. Secondly, the characters are far better cast and much more believable. And thirdly, the climax of series 1 is spread over 4 episodes and therefore more credible than in the British version which is crammed into one episode. The series title is, however, somewhat of a misnomer as there is virtually no "swinging" involved across the entire series.

On the down side, the plot does seem to spread a little more thinly by the time you get to series 4. At the conclusion of series 4 it also leaves unanswered the question of how the 'surviving' characters are ever going to get away with their actions?

The same two criticisms that I mentioned in my review of the British version are equally relevant here, i.e. Why does everybody insist on leaving their front room curtains open at night? And how do the near-death characters manage to survive???

Whilst I feel that the credibility of the series does spiral downwards as the 40 episodes progress, it is still nonetheless worthy of watching.

Brookside on ecstasy

[joachimokeefe · 9/10 · 8 June 2018]

Great stuff. The 'Swingers' English title isn't really appropriate. There's no 'explicit' swinging until series 1 episode 5, ok? The buildup just draws you in, and draws you in to a soap opera on steroids. I don't know what the industry term is for this kind of series; 'serial drama' is too vague; Megasoap? Soap Epic? Character Sadism-Fest?

There are elements of the soundtrack that remind me of 'Six Feet Under', as the lives of the three protagonist couples become more and more complicated due to their own powerful needs, sins and mistakes. If you saw that series, you'll know that pretty much anything goes. There's drug crime, voyeurism, disabled characters, immigration issues, fundamentalist religion, you name it. Oh, and some humour, thankfully.

The good news is that it's all managed well, script wise., but It's no more about swinging than Breaking Bad was about organic chemistry. Worth your while, especially if you thought 'Brookside' wasn't edgy enough.

The Swingers

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 14 April 2017]

As this Dutch series opens we see a young boy walking alongside a clown; they approach a house and there is blood on the window; it is obvious that something terrible has happened but who did what to whom is uncertain.

The action then jumps back and we see young couple, Eva and Pete, looking around a new house; Eva is heavily pregnant and they have decided to move from their city centre flat to a house in the suburbs. Shortly after buying the house their baby is born but tragically dies soon afterwards. Eva is understandably distraught but Pete appears to be taking it better… it turns out that he is incapable of having a child so they had used a donor… something Eva's religious parents disapproved of. After moving into their new house thy get to know their new neighbours; most notably Rebecca and Steef. Steef is a member of the local police drug squad but it is clear from early on that he is not the most honest of policemen. It also emerges that Rebecca and Steef are swingers; something most of the neighbourhood is unaware of although they tell Eva and Pete and another neighbour, who has a thing for Rebecca, learns when he spies their activities through his telescope! As the two couples become closer friends Rebecca makes a surprising suggestion; Eva should use Steef to conceive another child!

This Dutch series is a delightful blend of comedy and drama. We know from the start that things will end badly but the details remain a mystery even after watching the last episode of the first season… an episode that left be very keen to see the second season. Given the English title one might think the series would be full of gratuitous sex and nudity in fact there is only a relatively small amount of either. There is however a decent sense of mystery and quite a few laughs, many provided by the voyeuristic neighbour. The cast does a fine job making us believe in and care about their characters. Overall, based on the first season I heartily recommend this and hope we don't have to wait long before the second season opens here.

These comments are based on watching the series in Dutch with English subtitles.

Great story again

[cworsey · 10/10 · 7 July 2020]

Involving story with new characters as well as old favourites. Still fresh

Just finished first 2 seasons-love it.

[kermeen-72133 · 9/10 · 5 March 2021]

This is quite the show. It's oddly strange because I'm the last person to watch anything that I have to read and not listen to, generally if I have to read a movie I'm not interested but this one is just a little intense at times and it leaves me wanting more. I very much enjoyed this, these guys are sick and twisted in the perfect amount. I have alot of hope for Lily and for the kids. It's such a crazy show, I just can't believe Eva. She's too much. Lol love it thou. Hopefully there is many seasons to go.

Season 4

[xinix80 · 3/10 · 22 June 2019]

Season 4 is totally unwatchable. Bad acting, worse writing. No character development, inconsistent storyline. Waste of time.

Season 4

[houtermanwillem · 2/10 · 20 May 2019]

Season 4 is really bad. Bad actors en totally onrealistic story.

Watchable, but a poorly edited production

[qui_j · 5/10 · 24 July 2021]

This Dutch series is the usual soap opera about neighbors in a cul-de-sac all of whom have hidden secrets and agendas. The script is poorly edited and tends to jump about quite a bit. This messes up continuity of the story and also tends to skew character development. It helps pass time when there is nothing else in your queue.

Season 2 takes on more of a soap opera feel as characters from Season 1 are brought back from certain death by means the viewers can only assume are the result of medical miracles and treatment as yet unknown to man! The story line becomes confusing and suggests that the writing took a dive. As most of the other posters have suggested, Season 3-4 may not be worth it to continue.