Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about Netflix's latest hit series, "Stranger Things." According to the endless string of tweets on my feed, everyone and their grandmother has already binged the series. This week, I sat down to watch the first episode.
A clear nod to '80s supernatural films (think "E.T." and "The Fog"), the show is centered around the mysterious disappearance of a young boy named Will. From beginning to end, that subtle '80s glaze coats your screen, like you've just popped in an old VHS tape. Somehow, the grainy feel makes the show's dark and suspenseful scenes all the more chilling. Within the first few minutes, I was transported back to my "Goosebump"-watching days, looking over my shoulder for the shadowed figure making its way into my living room.
Aside from Winona Ryder, who plays Will's scattered, but devoted, mother, most of the cast is made up of unknowns. This is a nice break from the star-studded casts of recent series and films, which often overshadow the piece itself. The lack of familiar faces draws you more deeply into Hawkins, Indiana, making you feel as though you are watching these events unfold in an ordinary, unknown town. While they made be new-comers to the entertainment world now, the young actors in this series are sure to take off after these performances. They are dynamic, relatable and bring depth to the science fiction-based show.
Just one episode was enough to hook me. For the next several hours, you can find me snuggled up on my couch finishing season one. But I'll probably be leaving all the lights on.
