Stranger Things

:

Season 3
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 15, 2016
Season #: 5, 4.5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28

Critic Reviews

  1. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Jan 3, 2020
    60
    Over-familiarity is the biggest issue in an eight-part series that refuses to stray from the Goonies-meets-Stephen King formula. ... Stranger Things is on more solid territory addressing the growing pains its teenage protagonists.
  2. Vanity Fair
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Aug 6, 2019
    60
    Based on how wonky and uneven the tone is this season, it feels as if Stranger Things has no idea how to raise its emotional stakes.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Jul 3, 2019
    60
    Besides nostalgia, plot is really all “Stranger Things” has to offer, and this time it offers far too much of it. ... The sluggish pace of this season can be daunting to binge, and there’s ample evidence that the Duffers are running out of big ideas, often relying on violence to make up for a lack of imagination. Nevertheless, nostalgia remains a powerful drug that satisfies a primal urge, and on that note, “Stranger Things” can lay claim to an ample supply.
  5. Slate
    Reviewed by: Sam Adams
    Jul 8, 2019
    50
    The cutesy signifiers are there—the geometric neon patterns on standard-issue mall wear, a running gag about New Coke—but the rest has gotten sloppy. The dialogue is awash in expressions that weren’t common 10 years ago, let alone 35. ... If there’s nothing as painful as Season 2’s “punk” episode, there’s nothing in Stranger Things’ third season as memorable either.
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Jun 30, 2019
    50
    It is, indeed, bigger and not better. It's also bigger and not deeper. After establishing this world, we've now had two seasons that have done nothing to enhance the mythology of the Upside Down, to make me more interested in the monsters that dwell there, their goals in our world or justifiable explanations for why stupid scientist-types keep fiddling with this dimensional breach.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best TV Season of 2019
4
#4 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
97
#97 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 448 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 320 out of 448
  2. Mixed: 62 out of 448
  3. Negative: 66 out of 448
  1. kirkender
    Jul 4, 2019
    3
    "Regressive, Boring Things" is a more apt title. Its filled with rehashed tropes with zero commentary or evolution. Its nostalgia without"Regressive, Boring Things" is a more apt title. Its filled with rehashed tropes with zero commentary or evolution. Its nostalgia without applying a modern perspective to remove the problematic elements. 100% of the women characters have zero depth and Eleven is basically a mentally disabled "make-out" doll who speaks broken sentences but otherwise retains nothing from her previous lifes trauma. The editing is choppy, derivative and frenetic. Scenes jump constantly with no tact or intent. Mild commentary on issues (small town business killed by big mall) is uninformed, and inaccurate. The worst offender - the "strange" - is such a hodgepodge of other better sci-fi / horror that all the tension and surprise is known at the beginning of scenes. Is this one based on Alien? Yes. Is this one Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Yes? Close Encounters? You betcha - without any building or even competent replication. Its soooo boring.… Full Review »
  2. rolfmikkel
    Jul 10, 2019
    3
    Well, i really wanted to like this.. After two good seasons, that both held their own in form of quality- season 3 is merely a shadow of itsWell, i really wanted to like this.. After two good seasons, that both held their own in form of quality- season 3 is merely a shadow of its predecessors ..

    -Hopper is a caricature of himself. He went from caring guardian that would do everything it takes to protect the town and the ones he loves. Now he is just loud, obnoxious and overall a horrible person.

    - Stranger things was always inspired by other movies, but had their own twist that made things interesting. There is no more interesting twist, just the same old formula and blatant rip offs from other movies(Terminator, Alien, and tropes from previous seasons).

    Mindflayer infesting other people was cool, but often ruined by childish moments as the rest of the season was. Stranger Things was always childish but funny at the same time, now it’s just cringe because it’s implemented at the wrong moments( Dustin singing)

    - Characters screaming all the time and being excess versions of themselves.

    - Lucas’ sister, no comment needed here- but jesus christ...

    + Billie’s performance

    + Mindflayer and hosts

    + Sometimes more mature and more gory, but this is ruined by all the unecassary moments.

    Season 4 needs to be really good for me to give this show another shot.    … Full Review »
  3. RustyRhino
    Jul 4, 2019
    3
    If I was asked to sum up this series in one word it would be "Upsetting". The overtly political jabs they throw at capitalism and the currentIf I was asked to sum up this series in one word it would be "Upsetting". The overtly political jabs they throw at capitalism and the current era we are in is so blatantly obvious it's ridiculous. I understand Netflix is getting "Woke" but come on entertainment is there to enjoy keep that **** out of it I don't give a damn about what side of the aisle you are on. The characters seem boring and kinda just dull now no growth what so ever. I was bored halfway through each episode and it started to drag on and on and on and on. I am also a little disturbed that they had KIDS make out that much on set could have done those scenes a little more tactfully.… Full Review »
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