Television Show Review: Stranger Things

Stranger Things, a Netflix original series released early July 2016, has become a staple binge item for adults and teenagers alike all over the United States. With over 8 million viewers just 16 days after the release date, Stranger Things has captivated the attention of many. This original series has reached a new Netflix audience which targeted teenage viewers. Stranger Things has done so well that it was announced to be renewed for a second season just under two months after the initial release.

The Netflix series is centered around a single mother Joyce Byers living in the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana, whose son Will Byers mysteriously goes missing. Joyce looks to police chief Jim Hopper for help, who helps bring Will back home.

However, Joyce and Chief Hopper are not the only ones in search for Will. His three closest friends from Hawkins Middle School are on the hunt, too, after being the last people to see Will before he disappeared.

While the pursuit continues, an unusual young girl, known as Eleven, makes her way into the town. Despite her muteness, she comes in contact with the three boys, who then tell her about the strange series of events that have shaken the town of Hawkins. Mike insists she lives in his basement, hiding her from his parents and siblings. Eleven is revealed to have ‘powers’, as the boys call it.

As the plot develops, we meet Mike’s sister, Nancy, whose struggle with popularity and friends makes her a captivating, relatable character. She becomes enlisted in the hunt, eventually working alongside Will’s brother Jonathan. The series continues as a series of odd and supernatural events take place.

The sci-fi thriller is a new favorite among many Netflix-watchers and has been praised for its complex and elaborate plot line and character development.

The Netflix series Stranger Things, full of unexpected twists and turns, has appealed to a broad audience, making it the latest original series you will not want to miss. Stranger Things is a thrilling show with an exceptional plot line that is both haunting yet alluring. This Netflix series allowed much sympathy for the characters which could draw away from the overall plot but is still an entrancing show that will leave you on the edge of your seat, episode after episode.