Stranger Things - Review

“Friends don’t lie” – A review of Stranger Things. 

If you’ve read any of my previous reviews, the chances are you’ve gathered that I’m a bit of a nerd. I love sci fi, fantasy and horror. I love a good story, a healthy dose of escapism, and characters I can root for or love to hate. Enter Stranger Things.

Released in 2016, Stranger Things is set in Indiana in a fictional town named Hawkins during the 1980s, and is a blend of nostalgia, science fiction, pop culture references and horror. With the show due to release its fifth – and final – season at the end of this year, why has Stranger Things captured the hearts and imaginations of a worldwide audience?

Stranger Things began with the search for a missing young boy named Will Byers. As his family and friends search for him, they make a series of discoveries, each stranger than the last, including secret government labs and a terrifying dimension known as the Upside Down. Their most incredible discovery comes in the form of a young girl with telekinetic abilities, who is known only as Eleven. With each season, we are treated to nostalgia, childlike wonder from our young heroes, D&D sessions and fantastic character development. With new lore and threats being introduced with each new season, it’s easy to see why audiences have remained so engaged.

One of the strengths of this show is the incredibly talented cast of characters. When the show started, the cast was incredibly young (it’s so strange to see them all grown up now!) and the connection they have with one another enables them to deliver performances which are clearly from the heart. Their friendship and loyalty to one another is completely believable, and you really find yourself cheering for this group of young D&D nerds. The adult cast is equally strong, and they bring added emotional depth and gravitas to the show. The chemistry between all of the characters really helps the audience to relate to them and helps to make the friendships and family dynamics feel natural.

Stranger Things also has a brilliant atmosphere. The cinematography is often dark and moody, helping to bring a sense of foreboding to the plot. The show is also incredibly heavy handed with nostalgia, and whilst I must admit I do find it a bit much sometimes, I do also love the attention to detail when it comes to fashion choices, hair styles and pop culture references of the times.

I’m not the biggest fan of ending an episode – or a series for that matter – with a cliffhanger, and Stranger Things does this often. With that being said, the way the writing weaves together multiple storylines and balances humour with moments of heartbreak and suspense is genuinely brilliant. I do think there are occasional pacing issues, but overall, the writing of this show is fantastic.

There’s a reason Stranger Things is a cultural phenomenon. Brilliant performances, compelling plot lines and a clever bending of genres makes Stranger Things a genuinely unique and enjoyable viewing experience. Whilst it’s never been one of my favourite shows, it’s certainly one I enjoy and would recommend. I love a good mystery, I’m a huge fan of the supernatural and honestly, seeing D&D on TV is never something I’ll complain about. Stranger Things really does have something for everyone, and I’m excited to finally see its conclusion.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

Share Article: