Stranger Things

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 15, 2016
Season #: 5, 4.5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34

Critic Reviews

  1. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Lenika Cruz
    Jul 26, 2016
    60
    There’s a higher bar for original stories--even homages--to clear when it comes to incorporating the lessons Hollywood has learned recently about depicting female characters who are as layered as their male counterparts. For all its charms, Stranger Things doesn’t quite meet that standard.
  2. Collider
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Jul 14, 2016
    60
    Stranger Things ends up being an entertaining and impassioned throwback to the time when friendly aliens were all the craze, but there’s a consistent sense that a far more imaginative and daring series hiding behind the monsters, whether they be human or otherwise.
  3. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chuck Bowen
    Jul 14, 2016
    50
    Stranger Things is competently crafted, but exists as little more than the pointless sum of its spare parts.
  5. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jul 8, 2016
    50
    It's agreeable popcorn fare, though like many Netflix originals, might have had twice the impact at half the length. [11-24 Jul 2016, p.17]
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  6. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Jul 15, 2016
    40
    Things spends too much repetitious time trying to convince us that Mike, Dustin, and Lucas are cute kids, and the show’s sense of foreshadowing when it comes to revealing something that’s supposed to scare the daylights out of us becomes an exercise in tedium.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best TV Season of 2016
1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
15
#15 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 2260 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,103 out of 2260
  2. Mixed: 95 out of 2260
  3. Negative: 62 out of 2260
  1. Zanemorrowusa
    Jul 15, 2016
    10
    A spectacular mix of E.T., Super 8, X-Files, and more mystery supernatural Sci-Fi shows and movies. Stranger Things is powerful, stunning, andA spectacular mix of E.T., Super 8, X-Files, and more mystery supernatural Sci-Fi shows and movies. Stranger Things is powerful, stunning, and thrilling throughout the entire series.… Full Review »
  2. ScienceAdvisor
    Jul 18, 2016
    6
    Actual rating would be a 6.5/10 after having seen all eight episodes, unlike some that are reviewing after one or two.

    Stranger Things    Actual rating would be a 6.5/10 after having seen all eight episodes, unlike some that are reviewing after one or two.

    Stranger Things rides on music and props for the incessent claims that fill the reviews, of how nostalgic the show is. While it excels at achieving this in the music (11/10 for ambient, 10/10 on radio release), the rest is pure set-dressing. Once you realize that (towards the end of episode two for me), you begin to mentally filter the ambient (Carpenter-esque) mood music, leaving you with little to inspire actual nostalgia. The story falls *far* short from that mark, regardless of how promising it was the start. What seems like an interesting mix of classics, turns into a free-for-all, where anything and everything from the 80s seems to have been sourced. It would have been far better to pick two or three influences and just stick to those. The end result is something of a mess, and not nearly as satisfying as could have been hoped for at the start.

    The early episodes are so padded out that this should have been a six episode run, not eight. The characters are the purest cliches, and some of the set pieces were blatantly "borrowed", but without the gravitas that the originals became instant classics for (e.g. the Stand By Me kids walking down rail tracks). The entire last episode is a mix of Silent Hill and Alien, to the point where Netflix should be making sure that Fox does not own the IPRs to both of them. There is little the author/directors did not already use from the 80s which means the next season will have to start getting creative. Considering they did not show much creativity this season, I cannot expect it to hold this rating next year. That is unless chain smoking (even when not stressed), or continually calling a wrap regardless of the performance is now considered 'creative'.

    Also, disregard the claims of Goonies influence. Apparently the people claiming this did not pay attention to the fact that each Goonies was distinctly talented, required for the successful ending of the story, and most importantly, were fun. The kids in this one are nothing more than filler, unfortunately. Eleven is a speical case, and not one of the gang.

    Overall, it is watchable, though you can easily skip certain performances without losing any of the story. This season is a good time-waster, and could only be shown as on-demand so binge-watching with judicious use of fast forward (or skip) will allow you to minimize the padding. If it had been boiled down to six it probably would have been worth a 7.5.    … Full Review »
  3. PoeticDumpling
    Jul 16, 2016
    8
    Not perfect and not likely to win awards, but it is well-crafted, thrilling, and really does take you back to feel the nostalgia of the 80'sNot perfect and not likely to win awards, but it is well-crafted, thrilling, and really does take you back to feel the nostalgia of the 80's classic vibe really well. There are quality chilling moments. In addition to the obvious films/series it pulls from I also feel it is reminiscent of both the more recent excellent film, Midnight Special, and a really great cult-favorite film from only a few years ago called Beyond The Black Rainbow (the film was more artsy and not mainstream at all, but there are similar elements. BTBR is incredible if you can suss out the story on your own instead of being spoonfed). Some of the acting is a bit over-the-top and occasionally unintentionally funny, but I can overlook those flaws. For the most part the series has had me eager to watch all eight episodes as quickly as possible. It doesn't feel like a rip-off. It does feel like a loving echo of past classics pulled together in mosaic respect. As of now, my only feeling is that it doesn't necessarily offer much we haven't seen before, but offers it to us in an exciting, vintage fashion. I am about to press play on the final episode. This has been a fun rollercoaster ride. I am hoping for a second season. The creators, etc have already stated that season 2 will be more of a sequel cousin than a direct continuation of Season 1. We shall see. One strength is that there aren't alot of big name actors/actresses here so it really lends to the feeling of this being everyday folks experiencing an usual disturbance in their small town.… Full Review »
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