The brothers Matt and Ross Duffer created Stranger Things, which may be among the most watched television shows now airing. When I initially binge-watched the show, I soon discovered why. Although it took some time and a lot of convincing from friends to get me to watch the show, I was enamored with the Hawkins, Indiana, characters from the very first episode. With an amazing cast, a captivating atmosphere, and a ton of secrets, Stranger Things Season 1 is a master class in atmosphere and storytelling.
I really believe that a show, film, book, or other kind of storytelling is only as good as its characters, and Stranger Things offers an abundance of fantastic characters. The way that each of these characters—of various ages, identities, and backgrounds—managed to convey a single, cohesive story that came together naturally at the end of the season was what drew me in to this show. Stranger Things is one of those shows with large casts that sometimes finds it difficult to use everyone to good effect, but Season 1 does a great job of integrating everyone into the main story.
The majority of the young characters on the show, especially Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), struck a chord with me. The way the show addressed high school notions of popularity was novel and energizing since it felt more true to my own high school experiences. Steve and Nancy both come to the realization that doing the right thing doesn't require the approval or validation of their peers, but they do it independently of one another rather than jointly. Before they could commit to a romance, they had to come to certain self-realizations, much like actual teenagers.
The young performers gave convincing performances as Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarrazo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), and, to a lesser extent, Will (Noah Schnapp). With their awkward pre-teen mannerisms and the way they talked and swore at each other, the writing for their characters gave the impression that they were real kids. I felt the younger characters were written better than most child roles in the industry because of the small details, like Mike yelling across the house to answer his mother or Lucas spitting on his palm before proposing a truce.
Of course, the cast also includes a few more well-known actors in addition to the teenagers and young actors. With her honest portrayal of Joyce Byers, a desperate single mother who will stop at nothing to save her son and bring him home, Winona Ryder makes a triumphant return to the acting world. Another memorable performance is David Harbour as the austere but endearing Chief Jim Hopper, a man on a mission who swears to do everything it takes to find the missing Will Byers. I enjoy the show because although if both characters are in different stages of life than the kids or teens, they nevertheless deal with personal struggles throughout the season. For the many stages of their lives, each character faces unique problems, which they overcome as a result of the peculiar occurrences of the season.
Watching the plot develop is a delightful mystery in and of itself. I was always pondering and asking questions about the show, such as "How is Eleven connected to the Demogorgon?" or "What is the Upside Down exactly, and how does it operate?" With diner owner Benny and Nancy's best friend Barb developing into prominent characters before their abrupt and unexpected deaths, the Duffers kept me on the edge of my seat because nobody could be safe from Hawkins National Laboratory (HNL) or the "monster without a face." The show was full of surprises. Since there was no way of anticipating what would happen next, I genuinely felt sorry for Nancy when she first saw the Demogorgon in the Upside Down and for Hopper when he was captured in the lab.
I was somewhat aback when Eleven gave herself up to slay the monster at the end of the season. It surprised me, and it is heartbreaking to watch her say goodbye to Mike. It's evidence of the Duffer brothers' sensitive directing and superb, erratic narrative. I respected Stranger Things for taking this chance since, despite Will's salvation, there is still a price. Even though Will coughs up a slug at the conclusion of the series finale, the story feels complete and could have finished there (though I'm more than glad the series extended). The ending, although not perfect for our protagonists, is satisfying.
The show has a fantastic tone. Varieties of moods are captured by the superb set and costume design, as well as the soundtrack composed by Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon. Hawkins, Indiana, a piece of small-town Americana concealing a dangerous secret, is a richly detailed setting in Stranger Things, from the nostalgic, friendly Wheeler house to the busy, eerie Byers home to even the menacing, cryptic HNL. Few television programs or films have captivated me as much as Stranger Things did with Hawkins thanks to its diverse cast of characters and elaborate sets. I sensed the painstaking effort that went into making the program, and I could tell the Duffers wanted to use it as a love letter to the 1980s.
All things considered, Stranger Things Season 1 is incredible and, in my opinion, raised the bar for what TV series could be. It seemed like a well-made, very personal mystery rather than a massively advertised product. I think this distinguishes the Duffers' season from other shows on television today. I'm glad I gave it a try because it has become one of my favorite series to this day. The Duffers have stated that they wanted the season to feel like a solo movie.
