Stranger Things is just as good as you’ve heard. The series is at once horrifying, suspenseful, exciting, and heartwarming. Steeped in the popular culture of the 1980s, it draws on countless sources including Dungeons & Dragons, The Goonies, Alien, E.T., The Thing, Star Wars, X-Files, and numerous Stephen King novels, ranging from IT to Carrie to Stand By Me and everything in between. And if that veneer of 80s media sometimes makes the story and characters a bit predictable, the mystery, the score, and ultimately the cast all combine to make the show better than the sum of its parts.The format of the series allows for a great deal of character development that does wonders to break what otherwise might be flat 80s archetypes.
Nancy begins the show as a Mary Sue. By the midpoint of the season, Nancy evolves into a strong and confident young woman. Joe Keery as Steve changes into a man standing up for his friends.
But if the teens are starring in a 1980s horror film, it’s the younger group that really shines. The standout is Eleven, who is at once relatable and otherworldly. At first almost mute and as skittish as a wild deer, Brown imbues her character with tragic loss and unexpected heroism in equal measure in a star making role. Her counterpart is Gaten Matarazzo (who previously appeared in an episode of The Blacklist) as Dustin, easily the most likable of the four boys. The other members of the group, while not exhibiting quite as much depth, are still fun to watch. Ultimately, both Finn Wolfhard as Mike and Caleb Mc Laughlin as Lucas are earnest in their roles that you can forgive their lack of character development. The younger actors are interesting and fun without being insufferable or annoying.
Hopper has greater depth than other characters in his mold. Driven by grief, he reveals himself to be capable of making sacrifices as the story goes forward while also being possessed of a genuine desire to unravel the mystery. Winona Ryder portrays Joyce Byers as a struggling single mother battling with sorrow, and while her performance veers into ham territory at times, it works well as she becomes increasingly unhinged. Matthew Modine lacks any deeper motivation beyond pursing Eleven.
Aside from the cast, the music—which is a mix of 80s hits and electronic atmospheric tones which draw inspiration from the music of John Carpenter films—does a wonderful job of setting the mood. The costumes also deserve praise for capturing the feel of the decade. The cinematography and effects increase the scare factor considerably, particularly in the first few episodes, with close ups and flickering shadows that make the seemingly normal town seem alien and unnerving.
Stranger Things is a love letter to the 1980s.The story might leave too much unresolved for some viewers, but none of the minor flaws detract from the charm and excitement of the story. Stranger Things ultimately feels familiar in a good way while simultaneously being new.
Near perfect
Stranger Things is just as good as you’ve heard. The series is at once horrifying, suspenseful, exciting, and heartwarming. Steeped in the popular culture of the 1980s, it draws on countless sources including Dungeons & Dragons, The Goonies, Alien, E.T., The Thing, Star Wars, X-Files, and numerous Stephen King novels, ranging from IT to Carrie to Stand By Me and everything in between. And if that veneer of 80s media sometimes makes the story and characters a bit predictable, the mystery, the score, and ultimately the cast all combine to make the show better than the sum of its parts.The format of the series allows for a great deal of character development that does wonders to break what otherwise might be flat 80s archetypes.
Nancy begins the show as a Mary Sue. By the midpoint of the season, Nancy evolves into a strong and confident young woman. Joe Keery as Steve changes into a man standing up for his friends.
But if the teens are starring in a 1980s horror film, it’s the younger group that really shines. The standout is Eleven, who is at once relatable and otherworldly. At first almost mute and as skittish as a wild deer, Brown imbues her character with tragic loss and unexpected heroism in equal measure in a star making role. Her counterpart is Gaten Matarazzo (who previously appeared in an episode of The Blacklist) as Dustin, easily the most likable of the four boys. The other members of the group, while not exhibiting quite as much depth, are still fun to watch. Ultimately, both Finn Wolfhard as Mike and Caleb Mc Laughlin as Lucas are earnest in their roles that you can forgive their lack of character development. The younger actors are interesting and fun without being insufferable or annoying.
Hopper has greater depth than other characters in his mold. Driven by grief, he reveals himself to be capable of making sacrifices as the story goes forward while also being possessed of a genuine desire to unravel the mystery. Winona Ryder portrays Joyce Byers as a struggling single mother battling with sorrow, and while her performance veers into ham territory at times, it works well as she becomes increasingly unhinged. Matthew Modine lacks any deeper motivation beyond pursing Eleven.
Aside from the cast, the music—which is a mix of 80s hits and electronic atmospheric tones which draw inspiration from the music of John Carpenter films—does a wonderful job of setting the mood. The costumes also deserve praise for capturing the feel of the decade. The cinematography and effects increase the scare factor considerably, particularly in the first few episodes, with close ups and flickering shadows that make the seemingly normal town seem alien and unnerving.
Stranger Things is a love letter to the 1980s.The story might leave too much unresolved for some viewers, but none of the minor flaws detract from the charm and excitement of the story. Stranger Things ultimately feels familiar in a good way while simultaneously being new.