Stranger Things

:

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

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. alex2016
    Aug 7, 2016
    10
    Just finished watching this series today and thought it was great! so I recommend anyone watch this who is looking for something to watch and hopefully there will be a season season two.
  2. Killercaden
    Aug 6, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show is amazing!!! Im already watching the first season again. This show is the perfect Thriller and sci-fi show. Maybe even a little horror also.… Expand
  3. crnppscls
    Aug 6, 2016
    6
    It's great. The 80's stylising helps the yarn chug along quite merrily.
    I did binge on it and watch the eight episodes in one night, so there must be something good here.
    The series does borrow heavily from other movies which work for and against it, the characters are mostly likeable..... However........ In the first episode during Eleven's introduction, it dawned on me that her    It's great. The 80's stylising helps the yarn chug along quite merrily.
    I did binge on it and watch the eight episodes in one night, so there must be something good here.
    The series does borrow heavily from other movies which work for and against it, the characters are mostly likeable.....

    However........

    In the first episode during Eleven's introduction, it dawned on me that her whole character synopsis and back story had been lifted wholesale from Elfen Lied, even down to the relationship she has with her 'papa'

    All the goonies/super 8 stuff that people talk about was influential but Eleven herself was bordering on downright plagiarism and it spoilt it for me because i knew exactly what she could do and where she would end up halfway through the first episode.    … Expand
  4. Neelyry
    Aug 6, 2016
    10
    The best original Netflix series yet, right up there with Daredevil. A thrilling thought provoking rolling coaster that has you totally wondering what the **** is going on until they finally string it all together in last few episodes. The second season cant come soon enough.
  5. Arfington
    Aug 6, 2016
    10
    Another brilliant, A+ show from Netflix. You can tell it was made with love. Likeable characters, great actors and some genuinely frightening scenes, all wrapped up in 80's nostalgia.
  6. benjaminoteko
    Aug 5, 2016
    0
    I do not understand why the hype is so much. This series is very predictable and uses all the clichés we expect in such films. I do not see anything ground-breaking in this TV show and I guess people like it because they haven't been exposed to great TV show.
  7. Razv
    Aug 5, 2016
    10
    Brilliant TV Show. By far the best horror tv series I've seen. The characters are brilliant, the acting is simply spectacular (you would expect that from Winona Ryder, but every single actor does a marvelous job), interesting plot (this coming from someone that's not a big fan of horrors), and incredible directing. Top notch TV show, can't wait for Season 2.
  8. adelucero
    Aug 5, 2016
    10
    One word: Awesome. Great casting, writing, directing, and acting. Winona gave a stellar performance for her character. The kids of the show is great, probably one of the greatest performance gave by younger actors and actresses. Telling yourself, "just one more episode" will be lie and you will realize that you are already at the finale. Thrilling and exciting.
  9. TallyWacker
    Aug 5, 2016
    10
    For lovers of horror, Cabin in the woods (2011, Drew Goddard) posed a question. Now 5 years on the Duffer Brothers have answered that question, with an authentic supply of nostalgia, accompanied by its own SI-Fi twist. Stranger things mirrors popular 80's horror/thriller, while taking the fear out of the homes of suburbia and replacing it with far more relevant extraterrestrial enigmas.For lovers of horror, Cabin in the woods (2011, Drew Goddard) posed a question. Now 5 years on the Duffer Brothers have answered that question, with an authentic supply of nostalgia, accompanied by its own SI-Fi twist. Stranger things mirrors popular 80's horror/thriller, while taking the fear out of the homes of suburbia and replacing it with far more relevant extraterrestrial enigmas. The fear of the unknown is yet to be suffocated and exploited by HollyWood to the point of cliche. Making for a truly real and applicable fear. This combine with a clean sense of direction and production makes for an extremely enjoyable watch, horror fan or not, defiantly worth your time.… Expand
  10. inverted720
    Aug 5, 2016
    10
    Amaazeballz.. Horror well done in a world of weak psychological buildup. I hope Netflix makes more seasons. Excellent characters and plot, and I don't thing this review needs qualification. It just stands as a good horror piece The atmosphere is outstanding.
  11. Dodringo64
    Aug 5, 2016
    9
    Stranger Things was created by The Duffer Brothers and tells the story of a boy named Will Byers who disappears and his mother, the police chief and a group of friends who are investigating trying to find out what happened while some strange, other-worldly forces might be involved in some way. I'm gonna try to avoid spoilers in this review in case anyone hasn't seen it.

    So, first off,    Stranger Things was created by The Duffer Brothers and tells the story of a boy named Will Byers who disappears and his mother, the police chief and a group of friends who are investigating trying to find out what happened while some strange, other-worldly forces might be involved in some way. I'm gonna try to avoid spoilers in this review in case anyone hasn't seen it.

    So, first off, the quality. If you are well-versed in the cinema of the 1980's or literature of the 1980's then it's very clear to you that this show was inspired by Stephen King's early novels and Stephen Spielberg's early films. And if you're a fan of these things, which I am, then this will obviously be a plus for you. I am instantly hooked on this show just by the way it looks. It's obvious that the duffer brothers are fans of this source material because everything from the opening logo, which looks just like Stephen Kin's font for his earliest books to mini-plot elements sharing themes to Spielberg's movies as well as Stephen King's books.

    The main hook of this show is the disappearance of this boy and his mother trying to search for him, played by Winona Ryder, very well I might add. A police chief, played by David Harbour, whose downward character progression really hooked me into this show. I thought David Harbour was great in this and his character was amazing. Also great characters were the three kids searching for their missing friend. These kids were gold, they were funny, likeable and actually acted like kids! Also the older brother of Will, played by Charlie Heaton was excellent because he was kind of the reserved character, the loner. Also, Winona Ryder's character, who starts to go insane, at least to most people.

    Is it perfect, almost, but it has faults and as much as I want to give it a 10, I can't. Also, there are some striking resemblances to E.T.    … Expand
  12. javigpalao
    Aug 4, 2016
    9
    Fantastic. Full of tributes (Spielberg, George Lucas, Stephen King, John Carpenter...), and fun. Terrifying and entertaining with a perfect cast, and crew. Nice work in classic style.
  13. pwholmes
    Aug 4, 2016
    4
    I watched this show due to the positive buzz it's gotten (including the ratings from this very site), but given the high expectations I had as a result, I found Stranger Things to be profoundly disappointing.

    The show is simplistic enough that you can completely sum it up with a short mathematical equation: Stranger Things = (Poltergeist + Super 8)/10. It's completely unoriginal and    I watched this show due to the positive buzz it's gotten (including the ratings from this very site), but given the high expectations I had as a result, I found Stranger Things to be profoundly disappointing.

    The show is simplistic enough that you can completely sum it up with a short mathematical equation: Stranger Things = (Poltergeist + Super 8)/10. It's completely unoriginal and vastly inferior to its obvious "inspirations", if one may be gracious enough to call them such. "Total ripoff" is the phrase that comes more easily to my mind.

    Other than the visual effects, which are actually surprisingly good, the show is inferior in every respect: writing, directing, casting, music... you name it. The acting is especially atrocious. In particular Winona Ryder is simply unbearable. I always want to like her, but she always lets me down. In this case almost every scene she's in consists of her constantly shrieking, to the point where I want to reach for the mute button whenever she's on-screen. Many of the other actors are children so maybe it's a little harsh to be too hard on them -- but other shows and films have proven that it is possible to find quality child actors, and in this case, frankly, they did not. With just one exception (the gap-toothed kid) the young actors all pretty much stink. Sorry, kids.

    The soundtrack has also been getting a lot of buzz, but I have to believe that's just nostalgia talking. It literally sounds like it was composed on a vintage Casio keyboard. That fact alone seems to be enough to make many people absolutely love it. I, on the other hand, would also have liked the music to be... you know... good. It isn't. It sounds like something your 10-year-old nephew came up with. Sure, he worked hard on it and you have to tell him it's great, but let's be honest: you can't wait for him to stop playing.

    They were obviously going for 80's nostalgia in this show and I think that objective is what people are responding to. If you have very low standards, you might enjoy this show just for the atmosphere it tries (IMO unsuccessfully) to achieve. But If you're looking for that sort of thing, you're much better off renting Super 8 instead and sparing yourself many hours of disappointment.    … Expand
  14. EludiumQ36
    Aug 4, 2016
    2
    Wow, this User Review section is full of SHILLS! Anyone gushing that this is great and rates it 9 or 10 is out and out lying. This is a boring, slow-paced Goonies / X-Files rip-off that features Winona Ryder having a nervous breakdown episode after episode. So it's an awful combination of boring and aggravating. It's 8-eps long, about 50 long drawn out minutes each, and was clearlyWow, this User Review section is full of SHILLS! Anyone gushing that this is great and rates it 9 or 10 is out and out lying. This is a boring, slow-paced Goonies / X-Files rip-off that features Winona Ryder having a nervous breakdown episode after episode. So it's an awful combination of boring and aggravating. It's 8-eps long, about 50 long drawn out minutes each, and was clearly designed to watch as a VERY long movie rather than as a satisfying episode-by-episode serial. But seriously, you can feel yourself age due to the oh so slow pacing. Don't believe the shills and don't waste your time.… Expand
  15. sciencebird
    Aug 4, 2016
    10
    This is the best show I have seen in a long time. After episode 2, I found myself thinking about the show and wondering what would happen next, something Preacher and Outcast failed to do. It does use 80s nostalgia quite a bit (which like), but the characters draw you in as does the mystery. Some elements of the action are difficult to believe, but the overall plot is so engaging it isThis is the best show I have seen in a long time. After episode 2, I found myself thinking about the show and wondering what would happen next, something Preacher and Outcast failed to do. It does use 80s nostalgia quite a bit (which like), but the characters draw you in as does the mystery. Some elements of the action are difficult to believe, but the overall plot is so engaging it is worth suspending judgment.… Expand
  16. zachisonreddit
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    Stop everything and watch this show right now. Yes, right this very moment. Do you want to feel nostalgic about 80's movies? Do you like good writing, talented actors, and a story line that makes you think and gets you to keep watching? Why are you reading this and not watching Stranger Things?!
  17. ryeca
    Aug 3, 2016
    6
    A few good suspenseful moments and some great young actors, but overall pretty boring and too reliant on the mystery-reveal to be called "Spielberg-esque." Also, I think the 80's-synth-remake vibe peaked at Drive, so let's just all calm down or everything is going to be John Carpenter+M-83+neon signage or Souvenir typography from here on out. Stranger Things has two episodes of contentA few good suspenseful moments and some great young actors, but overall pretty boring and too reliant on the mystery-reveal to be called "Spielberg-esque." Also, I think the 80's-synth-remake vibe peaked at Drive, so let's just all calm down or everything is going to be John Carpenter+M-83+neon signage or Souvenir typography from here on out. Stranger Things has two episodes of content stretched over eight; too much style over substance, but if you binge watch that's not a bad deal.… Expand
  18. tvnewsguido
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    We've reached peak television. This show is mostly perfect.

    It is a nostalgia fest of synthesized soundtrack and Spielberg kids on a Sci-Fi adventure in their backyard. Unlike other recent attempts to emulate the period ('Turbo Kid' comes to mind), 'Stranger Things' Season 1 never gives into the urge to do an 80's parody. This IS an 80's movie and these same characters and    We've reached peak television. This show is mostly perfect.

    It is a nostalgia fest of synthesized soundtrack and Spielberg kids on a Sci-Fi adventure in their backyard.

    Unlike other recent attempts to emulate the period ('Turbo Kid' comes to mind), 'Stranger Things' Season 1 never gives into the urge to do an 80's parody. This IS an 80's movie and these same characters and performances would be at home in 'Poltergeist' or 'ET.'

    There are a few slow bits but, in 8 hours of content, a few slow bits don't amount to much when there's this much to enjoy.    … Expand
  19. Kari_Denine
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    I loved this show! I started watching it alone, at night, and I had to turn it off during the first episode because there were some scary scenes! But it's not all horror/scary. This movie is an excellent tribute to the 80s without hitting you over the head with nostalgia. The story is really unique, and even though the ending kind of tied things up, the audience knows it's not overI loved this show! I started watching it alone, at night, and I had to turn it off during the first episode because there were some scary scenes! But it's not all horror/scary. This movie is an excellent tribute to the 80s without hitting you over the head with nostalgia. The story is really unique, and even though the ending kind of tied things up, the audience knows it's not over (whatever 'it' is). The cast was stellar: Ryder gives the best performance of her career. And I've always been a huge David Harbour fan. The cast of kids did a fine job. Usually, I find child actors to be annoying or to take away from the viewing experience (hello, Sons of Anarchy and Dexter). I really liked how the supporting cast members developed into more complicated roles. The girl who plays '11' is outstanding. She made everything work. I came away from this show with that good feeling you get with a show does some real world-building. The secondary stories of romance and school bullies worked well. Everything felt realistic, and with the 80s setting and music, I bought in, 100%. I really liked how the monster was shown only in glimpses for much of the show. It was effective and scary. I can't wait for next season!… Expand
  20. dr_heartless
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    Flawless pops into my mind every time I think about Stranger Things. The story, art direction, music and acting are all amazing. Don't miss out on this gem!
  21. KyleBroflovski
    Aug 3, 2016
    0
    I'm truly baffled as to why anyone thinks this show is good even in the slightest. Maybe nostalgia has clouded our judgement. This show is terrible, apart from the soundtrack, which is phenomenal, there's nothing good about this show. It's a really bad show that heavily copies elements from a lot of movies and tv shows.
  22. daeneryswift
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    this series is a little jewel, literally! I loved it, every single moment of it. I finished it in two days (which is almost impossible for me). Great writing and great story! The whole '80s vibe, ADORE. The children were GREAT they left me speechless. And Winona too! Great comeback! Highly recommend it, it became one of my faves within the first ten minutes!!
  23. Matheu
    Aug 2, 2016
    10
    Excellent tv series! Very original! The performance of Winona is amazing! The little Girl also awesome!
    For every episode you watch, you will be wanting more and more! I saw the 8 episodes in 2 days!
  24. bradcheng
    Aug 2, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I only manage to accomplish that by "purge watching." It's my new term. It's the opposite of "binge watching" where you're apparently so enraptured by a show you can't stop watching. "Purge watching" is when you can't wait for a series to be over, so you use the fast forward button during the throw-away, tempo-killing scenes. A number of critics thought 8 hours devoted to the somewhat thin story of "Stranger Things" was excessive. I was thinking about the story in my head, and if it hadn't been given the soap opera drag out treatment, condensed down to a 2-hour movie it would have been even worse -- exposing more clearly the basic silliness and retread plot. The watered-down tempo helped what otherwise would have been Cream of Condensed Crap. You could claim running the same old numbers is in the name of "homage" or you could argue there's really not a lot of new ideas in the show. It's okay. But everyone seems to need to think they've found the next big buzz word (most of the times those are websites angling to stir up excitement) when maybe they've found an okay little show. Which is what Stranger Things is to me: an okay little show. From the first scene where the scientists get pulled upward into the elevator, dangled by an unseen beast, I went "ho hum." Like I haven't see that visual in a million monster films. An old clever show like the X-Files would have had a pair of eyes creepily material in the wall of an elevator and then maybe the doors close and a scream. That show as extremely creative at coming up with original ideas and images -- which is why it was a great show. But immediately I wasn't that impressed with the "Duffer Brothers" mise en scene. I need more "things I've never seen before" from Sci-fi. And little touches like the elevator scene are where true originals and moderate talents separate themselves.
    I nearly bailed completely on the series. Episode 3&4 were sluggishly directed by Shawn Levy, who is pretty much an incompetent as a stylist. By episode 4, it has completely lost the "vintage feel" and leaning on the influences of contemporary cable: Let's play a moving piece of rock music over a montage of the different actors staring thoughtfully into space. The music swells... It's the HBO Method of audience intercourse. A directorial cliche. Sorry, but this doesn't have the "feel" of a 70s or 80s production at all, maybe a bit in the opening episode or two, but it pretty much is quickly replaced by a run-of-the-mill cable show feel. Vintage Spielberg always had a very kinetic feel. 70s and early 80s films were riffing off the vibe of Altman, Pennebaker, Penn, but sanitizing them a bit and joking them up. The vibe of this series is probably closest in spirit to the lousy cheapie Steven King films, and not in a good way. It's a leaden feel. I'm still skeptical of the "tribue" aspect of this show The Winonna"Poltergiest" ripoff/tribute is the worst bit so far. So stupid. Where's the dwarf psychic? As I also noted they managed to pay "homage" to "Under the Skin" :Alien" "The Twilight Zone: and "Pan's Labyrinth" That's nostalgia? Hmmm. Honestly, is this really a tribute or is just the ultimate recycling job. If your pose a show as a tribute (and make sure to let people know up front to cover your tracks) does that eradication the icky "borrowing." I think a couple of producers (the Duffers you would assume) sat down and saidL "Yeah, I like the kid with powers from FireStarter, let's use that. (And also I hadn't gotten to the part where they even steal David Keith's nosebleeds from "Firestarter" at the time of my last comment) And the kids from "It". The whole kid thing from King. "Alien" was a great movie. How about goo? And we'll stay away from the afterlife and just make it a portal to another dimension...." Add Shaw Levy's teleplay staging (someone should let him know the camera moves) and it's all a bit snoozy. By the way, I also notice that the Duffer Brothers didn't write the series. They farmed out the episodes to a bunch of writer. Right there, their auteur status goes down the drain, IMO.    … Expand
  25. Riflenator1234
    Aug 2, 2016
    10
    E.T. meets Silent Hill meets X-Files meets Dungeons and Dragons. Basically it's amazing. Excellent 80's influences without being dragged down by them. Great child actors. Great soundtrack and sound design. Great writing. Great everything. This show is pure fun, don't listen to the critics complaining about it being to slow or anything like that. It's perfectly paced, is just the rightE.T. meets Silent Hill meets X-Files meets Dungeons and Dragons. Basically it's amazing. Excellent 80's influences without being dragged down by them. Great child actors. Great soundtrack and sound design. Great writing. Great everything. This show is pure fun, don't listen to the critics complaining about it being to slow or anything like that. It's perfectly paced, is just the right length, and wraps together rather nicely, with an end that aludes to another season, but doesn't leave you hanging.… Expand
  26. TBall
    Aug 2, 2016
    3
    Welcome to ET meets Stephen King via The Breakfast Club. Nothing but ideas stolen from better films and shows. Winona Ryder has one level, manic turned up to eleven (no pun intended) and never dials it back. The kids are good but this is crap.
  27. charlie888
    Aug 2, 2016
    7
    It was off to a good start but around the 5th episode the writers resorted to lame excuses for what were meant to be inevitable situations. No kid would challenge a little girl with superpowers even if a bromance was being threatened. When people find out the effing truth that could save everybody from certain death and destruction...YOU DON'T ATTEND A FAKE FUNERAL. And a whole bunch ofIt was off to a good start but around the 5th episode the writers resorted to lame excuses for what were meant to be inevitable situations. No kid would challenge a little girl with superpowers even if a bromance was being threatened. When people find out the effing truth that could save everybody from certain death and destruction...YOU DON'T ATTEND A FAKE FUNERAL. And a whole bunch of lameness which, frankly, surprises me that few seem to mind. 9.1 rating??? C'mon. I'm not saying it was a total disaster, but it can't be THAT good! The actors save the day. Kudos to them for not letting crappy scripts ruin their performance.… Expand
  28. ashclayton90
    Aug 2, 2016
    9
    After been recommended to me by a friend and at first wasn't too sure. I took the plunge watching the first episode not too sure what to expect. After the opening scene and following opening titles I was hooked. 'Stranger Things' is a great throwback to classic 80's movies and was an absolute treat.

    Mysterious, Intriguing, Thrilling and Charming, I simply cannot wait for season 2!    After been recommended to me by a friend and at first wasn't too sure. I took the plunge watching the first episode not too sure what to expect. After the opening scene and following opening titles I was hooked. 'Stranger Things' is a great throwback to classic 80's movies and was an absolute treat.

    Mysterious, Intriguing, Thrilling and Charming,

    I simply cannot wait for season 2!

    An absolute must watch for anyone who loves good quality TV.    … Expand
  29. Dalek
    Aug 2, 2016
    10
    It's rare that I binge watch an entire TV show in an entire day, as I like to slowly TV shows slowly overtime so that it's easier to remember characters, the plot, etc. But Stranger Things is an exception, and I just had to watch the entire show in a day to find out what happens next. Really good characters, excellent synthesised soundtrack, with thrilling action and story. Can't wait forIt's rare that I binge watch an entire TV show in an entire day, as I like to slowly TV shows slowly overtime so that it's easier to remember characters, the plot, etc. But Stranger Things is an exception, and I just had to watch the entire show in a day to find out what happens next. Really good characters, excellent synthesised soundtrack, with thrilling action and story. Can't wait for season 2.… Expand
  30. lovemesumfilum
    Aug 2, 2016
    10
    From the book Steven King never wrote, the movie Steven Spielberg never made.

    This was all kinds of perfect. I very much look forward to the next thing from these Duffer Brothers.
Page:

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Aug 16, 2016
    80
    This is astoundingly efficient storytelling, eight hours that pass in a blink, with even minor characters getting sharp dialogue, dark humor, or moments of pathos.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Molly Eichel
    Jul 22, 2016
    80
    You'll turn on the first episode and mysteriously find yourself sitting in the same spot on your couch eight episodes later, never having moved an inch.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »