Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, Stranger Things is a sci-fi drama produced by Netflix. The first season of the show, comprising of eight episodes, was made available for streaming on Netflix from July 15th and became an
immense success with viewers and critics alike within a matter of days. Inspired by movies and literary works that defined the sci-fi genre during the 80s, Stranger Things is a nostalgic mix of the factors that made science fiction an unavoidable characteristic of pop-culture.
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven
Set in the town of Hawkins, Indiana, in 1983, Stranger Things’s plot revolves around the missing of a young boy named Will Byers who seemingly vanishes into thin air and follows Will’s family and best friends as they investigate his disappearance. During their search, Will’s friends find a strange girl named “Eleven”, who is accepted into the boys’ herd and aids them in their mission. The show then follows its characters as they try to solve the mystery behind Will’s disappearance and Eleven’s past while being pulled into a conspiracy involving the government and a mysterious monster.
Caleb McLaughlin, Finn Wolfhard, and Gaten Mazzarato with Millie Bobby Brown
At its heart, Stranger Things is a love letter from the Duffer Brothers to the various iconic sci-fi movies that came out during the 80s, directed by the likes of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. The show does a great job of perfectly blending all the elements that made these movies special to the fans. From an odd character with special powers to unethical experiments conducted by government agencies, Stranger Things has everything one could demand from a classic mystery-thriller. The Duffer Brothers’ success lies in the fact that these components were incorporated into the series in a way that they do not appear like over-used clichés. Rather, they act as tiny bits of nostalgia that make the show much more fun watch.
Young friendship is one of the main themes of Stranger Things
Nostalgia is the key player that sets Stranger Things apart from other similar instalments in the genre. It does a great job of presenting young friendship with all its quirks. Mike, Dustin, and Lucas riding their bicycles around Hawkins, walkie-talkies in hand, with the air of a seasoned biker gang and enjoying a ten-hour long game of Dungeons and Dragons with a couple of Star Wars and Masters of the Universe references thrown in is guaranteed to take viewers back to their childhood while piquing the interest of young viewers about this bygone era. Basically, everything about Stranger Things works and there is not much to complain about. The show maintains its mysterious and retro atmosphere throughout and keeps the viewer engaged with an enthralling plot, plenty of thrilling twists, and interesting characters, culminating in a great showdown.
Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
Although it did not have a boast-worthy cast, all the actors in Stranger Things did a great job of playing their characters. Amongst the cast, it was the child artists who stole the show. Millie Bobby Brown who played Eleven delivered a performance that particularly stood out followed by Gaten Matarazzo’s portrayal of the wimpy Dustin Henderson. The only underwhelming performance in the show was that of Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Will’s mother. Ryder’s portrayal of Will’s concerned mother just was not convincing enough. The show features an exceptional original soundtrack composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein which has become iconic on its own right.
To conclude, Stranger Things is a must-watch show for sci-fi fans. For lovers of classic science-fiction movies and literature, the show will be a very fun experience with its numerable references, throwbacks and eighties’ atmosphere. Though there has been no official confirmation yet, the Duffer Brothers are optimistic about a second season of Stranger Things, continuing the story of Eleven and the boys. With a great plot and lovable characters, Stranger Things is yet another feather in Netflix’s cap.
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