You’ve probably heard of this Netflix original. I kept seeing tweets & Facebook statuses mentioning Stranger Things, but I hadn’t heard too much hype. Still, the title alone suggested it was something I wanted to see. One episode in, I was hooked!
Stranger Things is set in 1983 in rural Indiana and has a delightful X-Files feel! It’s retro for a reason– not only does it lend itself to a killer soundtrack, but it puts us in a world without cell phones and a world ripe with paranoia about Russia. Science fiction meets detective work in an 8-episode odyssey told mostly through the eyes of children.
It starts with four young boys playing Dungeons and Dragons. These kids are full-out nerds, and completely lovable for it. I found myself completely endeared to every AV Club and Star Wars reference they made. After a rousing campaign in D&D, one of these boys mysteriously vanishes. The remaining boys– Mike, Lucas, and Dustin– meet up with a mysterious girl, Eleven, and try to locate Will. Will’s mother (Winona Ryder) and brother Jonathan and a particularly sharp sheriff investigate as well. Mike’s sister Nancy joins in once her friend goes missing too. Conspiracy unravels and you’ll be binging episode after episode until the end.
I watched the series in two spurts of four episodes, starting late last Friday night and finishing up on Saturday morning. I can’t recommend it enough for X-Files fans, and sci-fi fans in general. The finale wraps up well, but is just open enough for a season 2!
Have you seen Stranger Things? Tell me all your thoughts!
I really enjoyed Stranger Things. I loved the retro feel and the great use of atmosphere. I also liked that they ended it in 8 episodes and didn’t drag the series out beyond what they had content for. It really felt like everything that was in the series was there for a purpose.