If you’ve already seen it, you’re about to empathize with my recent obsession and develop an even greater appreciation for “Stranger Things.” If you haven’t seen it, go ahead and minimize this article and start it right now.
When I first opened Netflix saw a new show “Stranger Things” had been added to the rapidly growing collection of Netflix originals, I was interested, but ignorantly prejudged it as yet another “mystery-thriller” piece that has been recycled time and time again. After finishing a couple seasons of BoJack Horseman, I wanted to start a contrasting dark drama. So, last week around midnight, I decided to give it a go.
BOY, did I regret every weak assumption I had made.
“Stranger Things” dropped me straight back to the early 1980s, with the story following the disappearance of 12-year-old Will Byers and the mystery behind a psychokinetic young girl, Eleven. Though it contains certain familiar, cliche aspects of a thriller narrative with dramatic irony, it is executed in an unexpectedly fresh, unique way that is absolutely enthralling. Meanwhile, it pays homage to the 1980s and nails it completely with all of the relics it features. AND, Winona Ryder plays Will’s frantic mother. What else could I ask for?
The electrifying, fast pace of the first 8 minutes -- all including a mystery opener, engaging characters, and a haunting cliffhanger -- had me hooked immediately. Throughout the show, I observed common tropes: a young group of friends who search for a missing buddy, a teenage love triangle, a desperate mother in constant denial - just to name a few. All of these are a few tropes that also key aspects of the storyline, and the foreshadowing and rising actions led me to believe I knew which turns the plot would take. However, when I thought something was about to happen, it did, but it somehow always surpassed my mediocre expectations that I had anticipated from seeing similar lead-ups in previous movies and TV shows. Joyce, Will’s mother, doesn’t cry herself to sleep in her distraught state-of-mind, hoping for the police to find her kid, as we’ve seen before with similar conflicts. She is desperate and begs the police for help, but when they prove to be of little assistance, she sets out to prove everyone wrong and find Will herself. In another unique way the storyline moves, Jonathan doesn’t intend to intrude on Nancy and Steve’s relationship maliciously, as would be anticipated after Jonathan’s bullying experiences with Steve. The story plays out to have the hint of the love triangle happen slowly and naturally, under heated circumstances in the search for Will. Once this subplot is developed, we are shocked again by Steve's true intentions, again challenging my anticipation. All of these are evidence of clever writing, which has contributed greatly to the show's success.
A significant way “Stranger Things” has made its plot unique to the viewers is through backstories of various characters, instead of just following a set of clues, twists, and turns that are discovered by the protagonists, that, of course, we’ve had to follow in many movies and TV shows before. This method not only makes the dramatic irony more engaging, but also creates an emotional connection to the characters as I learn more about them. The character Eleven is mysterious, and I was too eager to learn more with the little exposition we got. Then, they exposed her backstory, and it all changed. I felt her pain and she was humanized. Her backstory allowed me to see her as multi-dimensional, which drove the story with its spark of energy it had since the first scene. We also see backstories of characters like Jonathan and Will and how they bonded as brothers amidst the mess of their parents’ split. With this example specifically, Jonathan’s intentions of finding his missing little brother are perceived as much stronger, which lead him to commit rather regretful acts under pressure and emotional distress. Again, I feel his pain, as is likely the director's intention.
Already charged with a mystifying plot and truthful characters, the setting of “Stranger Things” in the 80s provides a unique experience that takes its audience on a ride through time. As a fan of shows like “Freaks and Geeks” and “That 70’s Show,” there is nothing that intrigues me or excites me more than diving into the lifestyles of the past decades. There is something so fascinating about seeing characters face obstacles under unfamiliar circumstances and solve problems with different resources than what we know today. For instance, Will’s mother must get creative with Christmas lights to find ways to attract Will back home, as she can’t look up where he is on “Find my iPhone” like she easily could today. Furthermore, when Nancy is desperately searching for her friend Barb who goes missing, she makes discoveries through printed photographs that provide her clues. She can’t resort to searching where Barb last was through social media or checking to see if Barb had texted her where she was. The circumstances and lack of modern technology that existed in the 80s are so unfamiliar to millennials like myself. The setting of “Stranger Things” in this time period raises the stakes, drawing the viewer in. If the show had been set in modern day, I imagine the depth and mystery of it would be lessened, with everything so quickly accessible and connected.
My favorite 80s relic is the opening theme -- the dark synth music and the faded vintage glow that makes you legitimately doubt the fact that the show was produced in 2016. When the theme first played, I felt a rush of a nostalgia for a time I never knew, but so badly desire to experience. It was an emotional rush that was created by a perfectly accurate presentation of the style of the time. However, the opening theme is just one part of aesthetic, further complemented by the music of New Order, Joy Division, Foreigner, and the Smiths -- all intrinsic to the 80s new wave music scene. The music and storylines are intertwined ethereally, which capture the honest setting of the 80s in an engaging way. There is a certain power that music - when applied at just the right times - gives to visual mediums like television or film. “Stranger Things” capitalizes on this, and the result is hauntingly beautiful, and left me desiring more from the story. In addition to the music, the show does an extraordinary job of keeping the 80s setting completely honest through other elements. Whether it's Mike, Dustin, and Lucas talking on walkie-talkies, the dated fashion of the characters, Will's bowl cut, or the flower-pattern wallpaper in Joyce's living room, the show nails it.
As the hit of the summer, “Stranger Things” seems to have the right intentions for what viewers want. The cliches are there, but the storyline leaves viewers -- like me, who think they knew how the tropes would play out --- utterly surprised and astounded. The way the writing techniques tie with the vibe of the 1980s makes “Stranger Things” unforgettable and addictive, leaving all of us binge-watchers wanting more.