A new Netflix original series called "Stranger Things" has slowly but surely been gaining attention. I've seen people posting about it on all of my timelines and dashboards, but I couldn't actually tell what it's really about.
Looking back now, I realize I really should have just Googled it, read the summary on IMDb, searched through some Tumblr posts for deeper descriptions, and went on my merry way. But that's not what happened.
What I actually did was dive head first into Episode 1 without even figuring out what genre the show is categorized as (which was my first mistake). For those of you who are like me in the fact that anything even remotely close to horror, thriller, suspenseful, jumper, gory, etc. scares the living bejeezus out of you and causes nightmares, then you know to always check the genre and related movies/shows before clicking play.
Since I didn't, I had to learn the hard way. Netflix literally says "Stranger Things is: scary, ominous." And then it also says "Parents strongly cautioned. May be unsuitable for children ages 14 and under." But of course, I didn't know that before.
There are scenes in every single episode where you have the typical suspenseful background music, characters wide-eyed with fear searching to find some thing before it finds them, and then some creepy figure or something else you weren't expecting jumping into the frame. It's safe to say I was clutching my pillow and sneaking peeks through my fingers by the end of the first episode.
But once you put that "fear factor" of the show aside, it becomes something else. The show itself is simply incredible. The plot of the entire first season is so insanely well thought out and detailed that you can't help but appreciate it, even if you haven't taken film, directing, or production classes. If you have taken those types of classes, though, you feel an even deeper appreciation for the camera work and editing style. This show is the perfect example of what an equation for a "good" show should equate to.
The subplots and side stories add an extra layer of depth to each episode, which can sometimes feel overwhelming or unnecessary in other shows or movies, but in "Stranger Things" it just feels right. It helps you get a better feel for the characters and what's really going on and how they're each reacting individually. You feel like you're really getting to know these people that you only get to see through your computer or TV screen.
And on top of all of that, the cast is phenomenal. Sometimes you'll see a show or movie with young actors and they don't really do a great job at portraying the right amount of emotion or really nailing the movements needed for a scene to be accepted a certain way. Not this time. These kids that make up the main characters are honestly some of the best actors I have ever seen. Even when you don't take into consideration how young they really are, they're simply amazing actors.
But you really shouldn't just take my word for it and move on with your life. If you haven't seen "Stranger Things", you need to. Login on Netflix, grab yourself a fluffy blanket and some snacks and settle in because if I could finish the entire first season in less than 24 hours (and that includes going to classes and meetings), then you can watch it over a weekend or a few days.
