Recently a lot of people have been raving about the new Netflix original series, "Stranger Things." After seeing what all the fuss was about, I gave in and watched it. I think it’s safe to say that I loved it because it only took me about two days to finish 8 one-hour-long episodes.
The series is set in a small town during the 1980’s next to a secret government facility. One day a local boy goes missing and other weird events start to occur leading to an investigation by the local police and the missing boy's three best friends. Mystery and intrigue suck the characters and the audience into the adventure to find the truth.
1. "Stranger Things" reminds you of old movies that you loved.
"Super 8," "ET," "The Thing," "The Goonies," "Close Encounters of The First Kind," and "Firestarter" are just a few movies that seem to influence the series.
2. It has classic teen drama… with many twists.
There are two best friends and one starts to become more popular while the other feels left behind, which is pretty normal. Unfortunately, this could turn out deadly.
3. The friendships are heartwarming.
After one of their squad members disappears, three young boys band together to save their friend. Being the geeks of their school comes at a cost to their popularity status, but it allows for the boys to connect on a level that can only be reached by those who truly need good friends.
4. Brings you back to the 80s with great TV quality.
The show makes you feel like you have been transported back in time, but with much better television quality.
5. There is romance.
The two boys fighting over Nancy show us that chivalry is not dead. Also the middle school crush going on between Mike and Eleven is adorable.
6. It's scary but not "I can’t fall asleep scary."
Honestly, I am a connoisseur of PG-13 horror movies and thrillers. In other words, I enjoy a good thriller as long as it’s still light outside. "Stranger Things" always keeps you guessing but doesn’t make you keep the lights on all night.
7. Monsters are fought and so are spiritual demons.
The beginning shows a cop who seems down on his luck. Throughout the season he gains more confidence and seems to find himself as he battles demons within himself.
8. It creates nostalgia for the childhood feeling of discovery.
The writers were able to create a mystery that pulls you in. Watching the children try to figure out the secret brings the viewers back to their childhood adventures.
9. Stranger Things is made up of more than one genre.
It has a creative mixture of Sci-Fi, Horror, Mystery, and Thriller which allows for everyone to connect to it.
10. The acting.
While we have seen some of the adult actors before this is the first major acting experience for the child actors. More importantly these child actors deserve high praise for their ability to connect to the audience by reminding the viewers of their younger selves.
11. They know how to keep you hanging.
The finale of "Stranger Things" wrapped up by answering a few questions that viewers had been asking throughout the season, while also creating new questions. There was a good conclusion that keeps the audience wanting more.
P.S. It looks like someone still likes their Eggos.
Shout out to my resident "Stranger Things" expert, John McPherson, who not only made me watch the series, but helped edited this post.
