In the midst of the golden age of television, the boundaries that separated film and TV have become almost non-existent. In fact, in some aspects the latter has surpassed the former. In means of quality, both are similar enough that a film buff can no longer write off and ignore the material strictly made for TV.
Netflix has proven itself in this category, and in my opinion, has put basic cable channels to shame. Many of its A-list shows such as "House of Cards," "Orange is the New Black," and "Marvel's Daredevil," are hits and Netflix has done it again. I make a plea to you to tune in to what is my new personal favorite show.
The show is called "Stranger Things" and it is a genre-mash of some of our culture's most cherished themes. Most easily it can be described as a combination between Steven Spielberg's "The Goonies" and basically any Stephen King novel in which the leads are children. Put both of those two inside an episode of the strange and unusual "Twin Peaks" or "Wayward Pines" ("Pines" is actually where "Stranger Things" creators got their start). Then throw in some family drama and some teen romance like "Freaks and Geeks" and "Adventureland."
Sure, it is simpler to compare this show to similar pop culture tokens already out there, but "Stranger Things" manages to be very fresh and very gripping all on its own. It breaks down uniquely like this:
The story takes place in a small Indiana town in 1983 as we follow the tales of four junior-high aged kids as one of them mysteriously goes missing. There is a girl named 11 who has supernatural abilities, a love triangle between two of the kid's older siblings and a rich-kid-burnout character, the mental instability of a mom dealing with the disappearance of her son in the midst of having marital problems, and how a drunken small town sheriff, who lost a child of his own, deals with the responsibility of it all. Meanwhile, a top secret government facility that seems to have a hand in everything that is occurring rests deep within the woods of the town.
The show's main sources of star power comes from Winona Ryder playing the grieving mother, Joyce Byers, and David Harbour playing the reluctant sheriff, Jim Hopper. Aside these adult leads, the rest of the other characters are played by unknown teenage actors. I must add that "Stranger Things" features some of the strongest child acting I have ever seen in my decently long career of watching the screen. Their emotionally gripping performances are nothing short of incredible.
"Stranger Things" is this week's must watch Netflix release. I challenge you to watch the first 10 minutes of episode one and not be hooked. It is a show that mimics and stands apart in a very crafty and charming way. Plus, if you are still reading this you must already be intrigued.
