Stranger Things – TV Review By Charlotte Reid
(No Spoilers!)
If you’ve had any contact with the outside world within the last two weeks, chances are you will have heard people raving about the new Netflix original series Stranger Things. Starring Winona Ryder and David Harbour, a young boy’s disappearance in the small city of Hawkins, Indiana leaves the residents shocked. Following various characters as they all seek to find missing boy (Will) and keep the city safe, they soon discover that monsters aren’t just of the supernatural kind.
Set in the 1980s, this sci-fi, come supernatural, come horror series finds the perfect balance of being spooky but not scary. Well maybe a bit scary. While you won’t be forgetting the monsters any time soon, the suspense filled moments can be just as terrifying. The writers have mastered the art of cliffhangers, with one at the end of every episode, making this a series impossible not to binge watch. With only eight episodes in the season, it’s compact and doesn’t try to overcomplicate the plot. The first three episodes might feel a little slow to some, but it certainly picks up the pace after that.
As more and more people make it their business to solve the mystery, we’re certainly not short of characters. From the group of schoolboys trying to find their friend, to the troubled detective and an unravelling mother, there’s no shortage of likeable characters – even if they can be a little clichéd (the ‘troubled’ detective with a past for instance). The child actors deserve a mention, ‘nerd’ Dustin develops into a real scene stealer by the end with some great lines, but Eleven (Or ‘El’) is the real heroine for most. For a character with about two pages worth of lines throughout, this shy 12 year old keeps both us and the characters intrigued with the occasional word.
Because Will disappears minutes into the first episode, we’re not terribly invested in him or his safe return. But with the various layers to the mystery, what with government cover ups, supernatural monsters and a strong array of other likeable characters, this isn’t too much of a drawback. The sci-fi elements are kept crucial to the plot but explained to us mostly through a teacher talking to 12 year olds. So a mainstream audience can breathe a sigh of relief as science jargon sticks firmly to stick men diagrams.
With the season finale leaving many unanswered questions, fans will be relieved to hear a season two has already been confirmed. Most could probably get through Stranger Things in a weekend, and not just because it’s short – its plot twists are perfectly placed to keep you hooked. I wouldn’t say it’s a must-see, but it’s a solid, compact series, and you might as well start now before you hear all the spoilers.
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