Netflix Artwork for Season 1 of "Stranger Things" |
The most common place people go for all their binge watching needs is entertainment giant Netflix. It has shows and movies from all different kinds of genres and they are all ready to be streamed at the touch of a button. A few months ago I was hounded and told by all my circles of friends that I needed to watch the Netflix original series Stranger Things as soon as possible because it is "fantastic." I dislike being told what I should do for fun in my free time so shoved it aside. Then I got this binge-watching assignment for class, and I said what the hell? I'll give it a shot. Let me just preface the rest of this post by saying, my friends were absolutely right and this show is not difficult to binge watch at all. I sat myself down on a Friday night after work and planned to watch a couple episodes of the show, then I looked at the time and it was 6 a.m. and I had finished the whole series.
Stranger things is a science fiction horror web series that was created, written, directed and co-executive produced by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer. Starring Winona Rider The show takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins Indiana in the 1980s. The first few episodes center on the mysterious disappearance of a young boy and how his absence affects his friends, family and local police as they attempt to track him down. The show also introduces a mysterious young girl with psychic powers simply known as "Eleven" and uncovers a conspiracy that will change the town forever.
Ross Duffer (Left) Matt Duffer (Right) Creators of Stranger Things |
Analysis
The show is described as a nostalgic nod to 1980s sci-fi/horror classics and pays homage to "E.T.," "Poltergeist" and the novels of Stephen King. It reminded me a lot of the fairly recent J.J. Abrams movie "Super 8." It very much feels inspired by Speilberg and Stephen King. There were parts in it that also reminded me a lot of survival horror video game franchise Silent Hill and it also had a pinch of a Twin Peaks vibe to it as well. The show is primarily filmed on location in Jackson Georgia.
I wouldn't say there is a show out now that is entirely like Stranger Things, there are some shows that attract the same audience. Black Mirror comes to mind, it has a sci-fi, mystery, horror hybrid going for it, same with shows like the X-Files, whose reruns were just recently picked up by Netflix. Stranger things separates itself because it truly captures the 80s sci-fi feel it sets out to evoke. The characters in the show dress like they are in the 80s, they listen to the music that was popular during the 80s, they use the same technology that was used in the 80s, it looks very much like a sci-fi film from the 1980s got converted into a TV show. It's pretty impressive how they pull it off. Though it isn't completely original, it is unique because there aren't any shows on television now that capture that form of nostalgia.
The show is so bingeable because it is perfectly paced and well written. Each episode has a payoff that makes you want to come back for more in the next episode. It really benefitted from being a series as well, having to condense all the information being explained into a movie would have been a true shame. The show feels as long as it needs to be, everything that happens in it happens for a reason, with no extra side material thrown on.
Interpretation
Millie Bobby Brown as "Eleven" Stealing Several Boxes of Eggo Waffles |
The show also has a fair share of product placement. The most notable is Eleven's obsession with Eggos. Which has become so well known that before I even watched the show I knew about Eleven's connection with Eggo Waffles. Another instance of product placement happens when Eleven crushes a coke can with her mind. The creators of the show were at least creative when putting product placement into the show.
Evaluation
Like I said before the show is well written, it has great pacing, memorable characters and always leaves you wanting more once the episode is over. It is not completely perfect though. My most major criticism of the show is that while it does emulate the 80s feel really well, the show can sometimes struggle to have its own identity. All of the elements in the show can feel like a mish mash of different inspirations. There were several times where I thought to myself something along the lines of "Oh, that's exactly like... from..." One specific scene (SPOILERS) even caused me to physically roll my eyes. The explanation of a plot device stole elements straight from scenes of Sci-Fi films "Event Horizon" (1997) & "Interstellar" (2015). Another minor complaint I have is later on in the season a character that one of the major characters is motivated to find is just sort of forgotten about and glossed over. It's weird because earlier in the season there is an attempt to build up to a pay off but the character is never brought up again. These don't take that much away from the final product of the show as the story is still pretty engaging and the cast works so well together that you can usually look past the short-comings. That being said, it was a bit distracting from time to time.
Poster for Season 1 of Stranger Things |
Critics have showered this show with praise. Stranger things Usually achieves somewhere around an 8/10 to a 9/10 on major review sites. Eric Goldman at IGN called the series "Great" stating, "Stranger Things is an easy recommendation, offering viewers an atmospheric and endearing series that is a nostalgic throwback without feeling like a simple copy." Emily Nussbaum of the New Yorker said, "This is astoundingly efficient storytelling, eight hours that pass in a blink, with even minor characters getting sharp dialogue, dark humor, or moments of pathos."
The show to me demonstrates how great Netflix's original content has become. It has become a widespread phenomenon that appeals to a wide range of people who love sci-fi and horror. Netflix has demonstrated it's wise approach to how it picks out it's original content and Stranger Things trumps most of the dramas on TV right now. It shows just how far streaming networks like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have come and how they can compete on the same level as major TV networks like HBO & Showtime.
Engagement
This show has achieved a following incredibly quick. Virtually everyone in my life has watched this show and follow the cast's various social media accounts. I thought the show was solid but not really something to obsess over. People absolutely love this show though and the the best example of this was when people completely lost their minds on social media when the Season 2 trailer dropped for Super Bowl LI.
I was so enveloped in the game that I don't really recall seeing the ad. However one of my friends cited the trailer as their favorite part of Super Bowl Sunday. Nevermind one of the most exciting finishes to a game in NFL history, a two minute teaser trailer was their favorite part of the Super Bowl.
Conclusion
Overall the show accomplishes what it sets out to do, it successfully pays homage to the 1980s Sci-Fi films it was inspired by while creating a fun, mysterious, and engaging story on its own that has you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. I personally can't wait to see what the Duffer Brothers come up with for season 2. It is a testament to how far Netflix has come as an entertainment company and Stranger Things is yet another quality original series that the company can add to it's vast library of content. Lord knows I will be watching Season 2 as soon as it drops later this year on Halloween.