Do you remember Super 8? It was a movie from 2011 that was directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg. One of the most unique things about Super 8 was the familiarity and nostalgia of its 1970s setting. It harkened back to movies like E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, while still feeling fresh and original. Ever since then, neither a monster movie nor television show has been released that has been set around this time period, or that was remotely as good as Super 8. That all changed this summer when Netflix released the critically acclaimed Stranger Things.
If you somehow missed the most popular show on Netflix over the summer, I don’t blame you. It came out of nowhere. Before I watched the show, the only ads for it were on Netflix. It wasn’t until I finished the show that I started to see more ads pop up over the internet. Chances are you are just finding out about this show, and want to know more before giving it a watch. I got you covered.
Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things tells the story of 12-year-old Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) who mysteriously disappears one night in 1983. His mother, a police chief, and his group of friends do whatever they can to get Will back, but encounter otherworldly events and supernatural beings that change their little town forever.
Every major character and actor sold me from the very first episode. Winona Ryder makes a fantastic comeback as the distressed mother of Will Byers. Helping her is Jim Hopper (David Harbour), an alcoholic police chief that slowly becomes more obsessed with the disappearance of Will over the course of the show. These two actors were phenomenal leads and had me engaged in every scene they were in.
However, the adults weren’t the only ones taking charge. Will’s friends: Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) start a search for him on their own. These kids stole the show. Not only were they remarkable actors, but their characters act like real kids. Sometimes adult writers find it difficult to write for child characters, mainly because they can’t put themselves in a child’s mindset. I don’t remember any recent movies or shows that have portrayed kids as well as Stranger Things has done.
While looking for Will in the woods, the boys encounter Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), a mysterious girl with telekinetic powers and a possible link to the local government agency. Brown also does an incredible job portraying her quiet and reserved character.
If you are a fan of movies or literature from the 80s, you are going to love Stranger Things. It is very clear that Matt and Ross Duffer (a.k.a The Duffer Brothers) are fans of Spielberg and Stephen King. Their show is filled with references and homages to movies like E.T. and literature like Firestarter and Carrie. The Duffers were dedicated to making sure their show looked as retro as possible. The fashion, décor, and soundtrack are enough to make you think you were watching a remastered 80s classic.
The show is also incredibly well paced. The first season consists of eight episodes, each almost an hour long. It impressively balances multiple storylines and characters, without it feeling out of place or rushed.
With Netflix recently announcing a second season, I recommend catching up on Stranger Things before a friend spoils it for you.
Caesar Torres
Features Editor