Stranger Things Series Review (Season 2)

Released: 27th October 2017 (UK)

Created by: The Duffer Brothers

Number of Episodes: 9

Where to Watch: Netflix

Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapps, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Milly Bobby Brown, Charlie Heaton, Natalia Dyer, Sadie Sink, Sean Astin and Paul Reiser

2015’s Stranger Things stood as arguably the biggest success story for Netflix, turning many of its cast members into sensations overnight. With such a large following, The Duffer Brothers have once again returned to deliver a follow-up that’s big on heart as well as escalation.

Taking place one year after the first season, the town of Hawkins has mostly settled back into its regular groove; but the traumatic experiences remain etched into the residents, with the young Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) not quite free from his traumatic time in another dimension. This is the springboard for another unseen, demonic presence that seeks to drown the entire town in death and destruction. Much like the first season, Stranger Things bases its pacing within the growth of mysteries, developing the characters and finally bringing it all together; this time around, things accelerate much more quickly, which speaks volumes of season 2’s heightened stakes. Characters bounce around in separate groups, heading to varied locations to piece together. The only time the narrative goes off on a tangent (and not for the best) is in episode 7; a character (played by Linnea Berthelsen) with close ties to Milly Bobby Brown’s Eleven is introduced in the season’s opening but she doesn’t play any role in the problems that plague Hawkins and instead comes off as a missed opportunity. Yet aside from this one episode, the series makes a brilliant pacing shift from build-up to full-on intensity. There are also some incredibly heartfelt moments toward the end of the series and these bind the characters together so tightly that you’ll connect with all of them even more than you did before.

Stranger Things’ collection of actors of actresses is again excellent, with each holding distinctive characteristics. Having been absent for a good majority of season one, Noah Schnapp is superb here; with Will having the wildest moments across the episodes, he brilliantly captures that internal struggle and when paired up with Winona Ryder’s Joyce and Charlie Heaton’s Jonathon, makes for a strong family dynamic. Sheriff Jim Hopper (David Harbour) is again strong, with the series examining his softer side much more intimately. While less emphasis is placed on their misadventures around town, the child actors remain immensely likeable but what’s interesting this time around is that they each have a story thread on their shoulders that needs to be overcome. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) is still getting over losing Eleven, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) finds himself taking care of an odd-looking pet and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) finds himself trying to win over newcomer Maxine (Sadine Sink), a tomboyish girl with a penchant for skateboarding and arcade games. The cast is completed by two veteran eighties actors: Sean Astin, the original Goonie, as Joyce’s new fling Bob and Paul Reiser from Aliens, a film season 2 pours in plenty of tributes to. I liked how there wasn’t really a definitive antagonist this time around; instead season 2 places this focus squarely on the creatures that pour in from the opposite dimension, with the government mostly on a middle ground between the two sides. Above all else though, not a single character is lacking or underdeveloped.

Continuing its deep dive into eighties nostalgia, Stranger Things Season 2 keeps all the traits you loved about the first; foreboding synthesisers, a slew of classic music and the snappy transitions that jump between related items and people. But with a darker threat and more sinister tone, the producers peel back the layers between the town of Hawkins and the Upside Down even more. Some nasty looking tunnels and a greater number of grotesque creatures up the amount of bloody carnage and the lighting has also received a large boost, with the dimly blue tint of the upside matched against apocalyptic skies. The government lab oozes zany retro science, with hazmat suits and flamethrowers reminiscent of John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and the setting of 1984 gives way to other neat references, most notably Ghostbusters and the arcade title Dragon’s Lair. Despite the madness that goes down, the action is still well-shot, always keeping the characters in frame.

Stranger Things Season 2 is simply a fantastic thrill ride, with only a single speed bump along the way; it may split the characters up for its more intense moments, but it brings them closer together emotionally. Add to that a flurry of more extravagant special effects and you have a more than worthy follow-up to the original.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)