User reviews

Hightown follows Ray Abruzzo (James Dale Badge) and Jackie Quinores (Monica Raymond) as they investigate serious crimes in Cape Cod. Quinores has a history of drug problems while she struggles to stay sober and Abruzzo spirals out of control from the stress of the job. Those two are at odds most of the series but really do work well together and will do whatever it takes to get the bad guys. It shows the lows of substance abuse and how the opioid epidemic has really effected people and torn peoples lives apart. Hightown is a fast paced thriller that will keep you entertained throughout the series.

I guess you could say that I am a "townie". I grew up and live on Cape and I work in addiction recovery. Once you get beyond the language and the sexual situations, you are left with 2 stories, the fictional murder/cop drama and the very real story of addiction and recovery which is messy and hard and has a lot of setbacks. It is an important story to tell and I am glad they are telling it even if it's uncomfortable for some people to watch. It's also important to see that this is a very bad problem even if you live in what would be considered an affluent community. Opiate addiction is a very bad problem here on Cape. So for those reviews that say this show is elitist, well, addiction affects the elites as well.

After reading all the great reviews for Hightown I thought I'd finally give it a chance. I'm glad I did because it was definitely worth watching. It's a crime drama about the war on drugs that has everything from drug use, drug dealers, corrupt cops, murders, etc. This is a lot better than your average crime drama because of its writing but mostly because of acting performances from its two stars, James Dale Badge and Monica Raymond. Hightown will hook you from the very first episode and hold on to you until the end. I'm glad that's it's already been renewed for a third season because it definitely deserves it.

I must say this show had me drawn in from season 1, episode one, where I couldn't stop watching it. It was very interesting, exciting, lots of drama, gangs, police, couples and parting.... there was never a dull moment any of the series of episodes. I couldn't wait to watch the next episode every time. Yes, people have their opinions on the sex scenes and stuff like that, but it was way more than that. I would highly recommend people watching Hightown. I am sad to hear that there won't be a season four as I thought this show was one of the best ones I've watched in a very long time. Please bring it back....

This was a suprisingly good show that starred a lot of unknown actors. Monica Raymund who was the most widely known character actor headlined this series. One thing that stood out was the two leading characters, Raymund as a Federal Marine Enforcement officer (Fish Police) and James Badge Dale as state policeman Ray Abruzzo are the two most unlikeable characters in the series...yet it works. We still pull for them although they are reckless and both use people. She is a mess but deep down a good person. She has demons, maybe we learn in the next season why she is dead set on destroying herself.

The only thing my father ever told me that I paid attention to was when he said, "If you really hate a character in a show then the actor is doing a really good job". And he was right. Raymund's character is so unlikeable. She's a drunk, a drug addict and she spends way too much time on the hunt for sex with other women. She bedded at least 1/2 dozen women in the series. I'm not a prude but there was too much sex in the series. I'm looking for a crime show about murder & drugs and there's sex in almost every episode. Sex can play a part but thsi was over the top. Still, it was a good series. Ray Abruzzo the cop was a jerk to everyone around him but he was one of the 'good guys'.

There were a couple of hiccups in the series, in the form of silly dialogue but all in all the writing was pretty good.

I haven't watched the second season yet but season 1 is definitely worth watching.

Love the show! Always something to look forward. Street life with good life mixed in one. Not the normal ehh show. Lots of adventures. Jackie keeps you on your turns. She has so much heart but she ants to be a super hero and can't deal with her own issues. It's like good guy bad guy but I'm a great person despite my own demons. She has a great crew around her. Ray Abruzzo is a rude fucccc but he keeps it real and is a great cop! Lots of twist and turns from his egotistical self

MUSIC kills me . I literally have to skip the intro and go past it. Seems like few of the music choices go with the scenes. Thought it would get better with each season .

I was about to stop watching this in S1, E4, glad I didn't because season 2 really stepped it up. I mean it was like day and night compared to the ridiculous S1, where every character annoyed me, especially the fish cop. A lot of times movies becomes worse when a particular character dies, that wasn't the case here in S1. I was surprised he lasted as long as he did.

The gay sex remain wild and sexy, which was the most I've ever seen in a crime series, but the heterosexual remain blah and boring, had to ff it even when they were laying in bed, and I'm heterosexual. Lol

I couldn't believe how the energy turned up S2, along with the music theme and how crazy things were happening all over the place reminded me of White Lotus. Had me laughing out loud.

1 thing, I wasn't pleased how the initial killer was being portrayed as some type of gentle caring bear after savagely murdering women, that really irked me to the end.

All I can say is hang in there or just skip S1, you'll have a good time.

We saw the description for this show, cops, drug dealers, ect. And we figured we'll try it out.

Gave it a shot and we were weren't disappointed.

It is one of our favorite shows now.

Besides the great acting and writing, this show is a master class in pacing.

Some shows need half a season to get going but Hightown never drags, never gets bogged down, the pace of the story is perfect.

Nor is it too fast and relentless to make the storyline confusing.

Cheers to the showrunner, directors and the editors.

Once again , this show is "A Master Class" on pacing!

I am really looking forward to season four!

Is it the best show after two episodes? No. Is it the worst? No. Is it worth watching amidst a stay-at-home lockdown? Absolutely. It's too early to get into the nitty gritty details. I think I know where it's going. Yes, there's drugs, sex, somewhat cliched characters, but that's kind of the point - HIGH town. It's all cliched to some extend. Where it ends up, that will determine whether I ultimately like or dislike. Not one episode.

It's Called HIGH town for a reason. I'm not sure if other reviewers realize it's a show that revolves around characters who have been affected, in one way or another, from the opiate crisis. So, why all the complaints about the drug use and fault it for showcasing how hard the process of recovery actually is. As well as showcasing how sad and depressing addiction is. The process of Recovery, just like the process of addiction, doesn't happen overnight - it's a long grueling process with lots of highs and lows as well as setbacks and relapses. So, I can excuse it for focusing the majority of its attention on it. It's bleak yes, but so is addiction and recovery. They're no walk in the park. Also, Cape Cod is very LGBTQ friendly, both in real life, and on the show. Hating on it for these two reasons alone is where we end up seeing 99% of the complaints thus far. Nudity is also a reality (especially in beach/party town such the Cape. I do agree with others about how some of the side stories feel like different shows in some scenes, but I can tell that it's just trying to introduce all the main characters, and there are quite a bit of them. Only one Episode has aired so far, so I wouldn't be so quick to judge the entire series based on one episode alone; even though I too didn't find it to be the most entertaining episode in the world either. Nothing really hooked me and there was no cliffhanger to keep me wanting to come back; however, unlike other reviewers, I'm not going to trash it solely based on sex & drug use, nor will I trash it for taking its time. I'll wait to see if it gets better, but so far it's pretty by the books, and not all that interesting...yet. And yes, there is a murder, which several of characters will be involved in in one way or the other, so we still have that crime solving aspect to look forward to. I'll admit it does take a back burner to the opiate crisis; though, what do you expect from a show called HIGHTown? It's going to be about drugs people. It says it right there in the title. For the people criticizing an actress for taking a role as a lesbian drug addict, instead of portraying the same character they associate the actress with is ridiculous. Sorry to break it to you, but a lot of people, respectable decent people, are or have been, drug addicts (either recovering of Get over yourselves please.

This show really captures the feeling of a seaside town that's filled with people living on the edge of life in a way not many other shows can achieve. It's slightly dark but the characters have both a light side and dark side, they are realistically complex and likeable. It's fun to watch. The storyline may be not be anything amazing but the show is made by the way it's shot, the way it feels and sounds and the acting. It moves fast and again, the acting is superb. Loved it and I hope they keep making more of it. It's quite unique.

As others noted, this is for adults only! An intense show with explicit depiction/discussion of sexuality and substance abuse. If that bothers you watch something else. I though the first episode was very promising. Gritty and gripping with just the right amount of humor blended in to keep it real. I was impressed by the cast particularly the lead. I also thought they gave an honest, open but not over the top look at the LGBT scene in Provincetown but can't say that I have been there, or that it's my scene...and of course it is told from a single person's POV which won't represent a universal experience.

There is something I didn't like but also something inside me wanted to continue to watch it. I think the focus of the idea for this show went somewhere else. If you're gonna do a crime, mystery series maybe you can put more mystery and less drugs, sex and alcohol. I have mixed feelings. It's hard to create something really good and meaningful. And for that you need to stand out from the others. I don't think that show has it.

I don't understand the lack of hype for this series. It is one of the best crime dramas since Breaking Bad. The writing is top notch, the acting is amazing, the drama is high. It was just announced that the show was cancelled after three amazing seasons, with the season three finale ending in a pivotal turning point for the main characters. I just cannot understand why... I know ratings were down, but Starz did almost no advertising for this show. Does anyone even know about it? This seems to be a hidden gem of TV, and it would be a shame to let it's potential be wasted. Hopefully Netflix picks this up and gives it the ending it deserves.

I'm impressed by the pilot episode. The protagonist has the engaging mix of toughness and vulnerability.

Being young, she does foolish things, drinks and consumes illegal drugs. Does not help that she likes to party in a community popular with LGBT visitors.

The film makers challenge is to drag the viewer along, as Jackie Quiñones tries to pull herself together. And, embarks on a crusade to unravel the murder that she discovered.

There's a good scene where Jackie reported to the psychologist of the addiction recovery home. There, Jackie begins her journey of self-discovery.

On a parallel course, there's a police detective trying to find the murderers. He takes it personally because the victim was his confidential informant. A tough ruthless veteran, his contribution is unpredictable.

In general, the cast was convincing. The pace was a little fast.

I'll be watching the next episode.

There are some cliches and tropes that are over played and some plot holes and suspend belief moments but overall the show is well written, well acted, and well directed.

If you need something to binge or are just looking for a different kind of drama then definitely check this out.

It seems they left room for another season and 2, IMO, was better than 1, so I wouldn't mind a 3rd.

Honestly, i knew this show was on for months now and i kept on passing it by. Then 3 days ago when i decided to click on it. I binged all 18 shows in a row in 24 hrs. I was hooked. The acting and storyline was impressive. I could have dealt without the continual sex scenes though.that was a bit too much even for caligula.i will be watching season 3 for sure.

At the time of this review, this show has a 6.8 on IMDb. That's too bad because I almost didn't watch because of that. IMDb users think they are too "high brow" or something. This show is really good. Drug use and sex scenes are in your face and I guess that turns some people off. STOP GIVING SHOWS A LOW RATING BECAUSE YOU FEEL OFFENDED BY THAT! If you're reading this review and you aren't sure if you should watch, take it from me. Give it a chance. For some context, my favorite tv shows of all time are the sopranos, breaking bad, boardwalk empire, game of thrones, the last kingdom, Dexter, rescue me, and so on. If you are a fan of those shows too, then take it from me and check this series out. You won't be sorry. Don't read too much into the hate. I have officially realized that user ratings of shows are not the "end all be all" and now I will begin to broaden my horizon with new series. I understand that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but if sex and drug use and violence are the reason that you are hating, do us all a favor and keep your opinion to yourself. Lol thanks.

I made it to the end of season 2 and it was entertaining enough, but I can only watch a person make all the same mistakes all over again so many times. I also find this portrait of the LGBTQ+ community a bit depressing. Is that really how Hollywood writers see us? A bunch of hyper-promiscuous drug addicts? It's like the goal was to pack all negative stereotypes about the so-called "lifestyle" into a single show, with a generous helping of bi erasure. Takes me right back to the '80s, which wasn't a great time for us.

I love the reviewers that pride themselves on "getting it" and who look down on the "prudes" who give this a deservedly low rating. How old are you, 12? Going gaga over a bit of girl on girl action is for schoolboys. I'm a big fan of erotica but for God's sake give me a story and some decent acting to go with it. The writers of this are like the reviewers - "Whaddya think of THAT??" you can hear them say as they unfurl another tedious sex scene that contains all the raunchiness of a three-days-dead lobster. So desperate to shock are they that they forgot they were supposed to be writing a tv drama.

This movie is a very common plain movie, less bomb, less actions..

Not like other movies with "super" smart detective or detective with supra-natural stuff...

No lots of gun shoot... No lots of car chasing action... No lots of running... No lots of kungfu fighting... No lots of killing.... No lots of blood... And the main character is not very pretty with blond hair and look smart...

It's just a common plain movie...

Strange... i don't know... why... But I cannot stop to watching it...

It's a common girl addicted to drinks... alcoholic... some of the time, she is blank... and try to get sober again... And although she is addicted, she is honest to solve the crime...

I just don't get this one. It doesn't match the show, or at least I don't get it if it does.... It's just annoying. And long. Longest theme song out there. Long enough to let you decide it's annoying and you don't like it with the show.