Stranger Things

:

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

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  1. Berik
    Jul 14, 2019
    5
    Unfortunately Season 3 is quite a drop off in quality in comparison to the first two seasons. The show was never a work of realism, but it wasn't cliché... until now.

    The first red flags that come up are the overwhelming amount of characters. Most of the main cast from season 1 has become filler as only a few characters actually matter in this season. The stakes feel lower than before,    Unfortunately Season 3 is quite a drop off in quality in comparison to the first two seasons. The show was never a work of realism, but it wasn't cliché... until now.

    The first red flags that come up are the overwhelming amount of characters. Most of the main cast from season 1 has become filler as only a few characters actually matter in this season. The stakes feel lower than before, and a lot of potential from season 2 (the other psychic children) is completely thrown away in favor of a story about mind snatchers and teenagers who have become run of the mill whiny bastards.

    This time, Russians have decided to build a facility under a mall to open a portal to the upside down! And this enables the great monster from season 2 to return! And if that sounds underwhelming to you, than you are absolutely right! The Russians fit in the cold war theme of the 80's, but add nothing to the plot than being an irritating inconvenience. The monster, which had demon dogs in season 2, does basically nothing once it has emerged. It bites someone, walks around while growling, and is incapable of destroying a house... despite the fact it can literally tear massive trees out of the ground!? **** SO DUMB!

    Also, i was stunned by the amount of 'last minute saves when it appears someone will die.' It was so juvenile, so overwhelmingly often that you never actually believe someone will die anymore. In fact, all the main characters have Drogon levels of plot armor. So stupid.

    The amount of boring, unnecessary dialogue in this season is off the charts! It feels like this season was mostly made to increase Milly Bobby Brown's portfolio, rather than to actually make a good show.

    Watching this season was quite boring, and disappointing considering the first 2 seasons were so good. It was underwhelming. I give this season a 5/10.    … Expand
  2. garmonbozia
    Jul 7, 2019
    5
    We’ve been down this road before. “Stranger things” season 3 is more of the same. It is entertaining at times, but mostly it recycles the same plot lines and the same events from previous seasons. It lacks originality. It moves too slow (it hasn’t got a story for 8 hour-long episodes). It has too much annoying product placement scenes. It lacks excitement and mystery. The Upside Down seemsWe’ve been down this road before. “Stranger things” season 3 is more of the same. It is entertaining at times, but mostly it recycles the same plot lines and the same events from previous seasons. It lacks originality. It moves too slow (it hasn’t got a story for 8 hour-long episodes). It has too much annoying product placement scenes. It lacks excitement and mystery. The Upside Down seems to be a dull place. For the third time characters are dealing with a slightly different, yet the same “monster”. The ending shows that the creators have even more of the same in store for season 4. Again a monster we’ve already seen and more Russians. Something strange happened with the actors (or is it bad writing?). Too much yelling (“It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” style). A lot of dialog seemed unnatural, and some of the acting was odd – like you knew that actors were “acting” – which is never good. Noah Schnapp who was one of the best things and a true star of the second season (the worst season so far), in season 3 had nothing to do besides touching his neck and “feeling the presence of the monster”. Hopper was one of the most likeable characters in the first season – now he’s mostly annoying. Mike was also very mediocre. With puberty came bad acting? Or is it again - bad writing? Hawkins seems to be abandoned by all of its inhabitants – I get it - they were all at the funfair. And nobody worked in the mall, all of the people left within two minutes, because two Russians told them so. And all the **** that happened seemed to have zero effect on the people and the world around them. Yes, we saw a TV report, but still all of the people act like nothing happened. Loads of people died, a monster destroyed the centre of the town and three months later, people are OK with it. Where is the army? The FBI? the CIA? This town should be under 10 years quarantine and people removed from the area. Soldiers with guns on the streets. Two major characters “died”. The one that died for real (it’s a shame), the one that “died” (fake death) – was too obvious, and creators denied his emotional farewell with the end credits scene (5 minutes later). He’s dead, but not really – anybody surprised? Having written all of the above - this season was better than the previous one. It’s a popcorn entertainment, full of mediocre jokes, mediocre plot solutions, and a story that isn’t forth 8 hours of your life (six at best). It’s an OK season, but creatively stale. Time to stir things up Duffer brothers. Make The Upside Down Exiting and mysterious again. Ditch the flower-faced monster.… Expand
  3. mjl14
    Jul 6, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. SPOILERS
    Stranger Things 3 had a sick opening scene and post credits scene that can push the narrative in a really cool direction but unfortunately, everything in between was a cheesfest. The first season was so eery and serious, with slight comedic effects.Season two got goofy and now Things 3 is just a straight up teen dramaedy, not a sci-fi horror.I wanted to see a serious, mature show, not this. It's too bad cuz there is so much potential with a cool plot like this but they just focus too much on corny character development.And I feel like the Mind Flayer stuff is just straight up randomness and the Duffer Brothers refuse to hint at what the Upside Down is all about.They should've made this an anthology series, would've been way better.    … Expand
  4. Captiosus
    Jul 6, 2019
    6
    I feel like I'm in my own personal Upside Down when I hear family and friends praising season 3. After watching it over the span of two nights, I was left wanting. The show feels like it's staining to remain fresh.

    The Russian plot point (a literal deus ex machina) was poorly set up, only tangentially linked by comments in the prior two seasons. It felt like they were struggling to come    I feel like I'm in my own personal Upside Down when I hear family and friends praising season 3. After watching it over the span of two nights, I was left wanting. The show feels like it's staining to remain fresh.

    The Russian plot point (a literal deus ex machina) was poorly set up, only tangentially linked by comments in the prior two seasons. It felt like they were struggling to come up with an idea to terrorize Hawkins a third time and "What about the Russians!" was the best idea they could come up with. Character progression is decent but predictable and full of typical teen tropes that they don't even attempt to hide. The 80's references have gone from being a background setting to being front-and-center, in-your-face - often feeling more like you're watching a commercial for 80s products than a show themed in the 1980s. And it took maybe 30 minutes to realize this entire season was "inspired by" Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Terminator, as they essentially lift the elements from these movies whole cloth and plug them into their own script like fan fiction.

    It's hard to fully articulate my feelings in words because they're just so "meh", so I can best describe my thoughts this way: Unlike season 1 and most of season 2 (which had a sophomore slump and some low points like Elle's solo adventure), I found the vast majority of season 3 utterly forgettable. Very little of what happened is consequential and literally the only thing that will matter going forward into season 4 will be elements of the epilogue.    … Expand
  5. flametail23
    Jul 13, 2019
    5
    This season was alright. Quite slow to begin with, with a few highlights sprinkled throughout and a predictable ending.
  6. leopoldfrank
    Jul 6, 2019
    5
    If season 1 was the E.T. of TV series then this season was the Adventures in Babysitting of TV series.
  7. strangel0ve
    Jul 4, 2019
    4
    Further, if not at all necessary proof, that season one was a fortuitous event, its heavy reliance on themes and techniques of certain kind of movie masterpieces of certain era is what gave it its charm and emotional depth. It also mitigated all the inherent sillines. Now I don't even know whats going on in this show, nor do I care.
  8. ali_arkani
    Jul 7, 2019
    6
    This season was packed with thrill and excitement, but the story and setting was too used up. You can't make an unlimited number of shows with the same story, villains and heroes before you make your audience bored and Duffer brothers need to acknowledge this!
  9. greenisgood
    Jul 18, 2019
    6
    The Main Cast that we followed through 2 seasons are better even as teenagers in turn giving us satisfying character interactions, this was the high point for me through out the season. Unfortunately The main aspect of the show which was the most excellent in it's maiden outing 'The Season's Writing' seems to be deteriorating over the course of time.

    TL;DR - A disappointment compared to    The Main Cast that we followed through 2 seasons are better even as teenagers in turn giving us satisfying character interactions, this was the high point for me through out the season. Unfortunately The main aspect of the show which was the most excellent in it's maiden outing 'The Season's Writing' seems to be deteriorating over the course of time.

    TL;DR - A disappointment compared to Excellent S1 and almost on par to S2, my score is result of 'Overall Story Arc' Writing that seems to be slipping downwards and no furtherance of anything with the Upside Down other than closing another portal. Needs get back to the Amazing Lore and Tight Writing that propelled this show to its fame in the first place.

    The Good...
    Everyone from the past seasons along with the new additions to the team were well written, save Lucas's sister which we will get to later; but for the most part character writing/arcs was the best thing in this season. Murray Bauman's Straight to the point was my personal favorite as it is still refreshing this time around as well.
    The cinematography/VFX were polished akin to a nice new coat of paint and wax on your trusted ride... Even though I see a lot of people saying the Nostalgia Milking was overdone, this was not the case; thankfully not yet. In fact I was in awe at the level of detail that went into the creation of of 80's feel. In short Character Writing, Production Design as well as Music were the most positive parts of the season, and I did not mind the inspirations from The Blob and The Thing for our creature designs.

    Now The BAd...
    I Think it is safe to say Arnold's character from T2 is probably the most over used cliche across all forms of media period. Seeing it used to an extent of a parallel main antagonist was really getting to me. The fact that this decision was consciously taken makes me worried about the future of the show hoping we do not devolve from the excellent imaginative lore of S1, aka the Upside Down and its ecology does not get lost amidst generic money making cliches.
    Some of the teen drama, though understandable considering the age was bordering on being bad cliches. Thankfully it just about held itself from overdoing it and we got down to brass tacks before it got nauseating, they need to balance it out better for future seasons.

    As for weak characterizations Erica Sinclair really reminded me why I generally dislike super cliched characters of child actors, all the more surprising since S1 and S2 were primarily kids that I absolutely Wanted to be friends with because of how well they were written. She was so one note through out, it would have helped to see some kind of fear or any other emotion from her during the course of the season. Maybe being dialed to 11 considering her age seemed like a good idea, but that is exactly why it also was the sore thumb; everyone else was given complex and believable writing wonder why they left her out. I do not believe for a second it was just for humor, because the rest of the cast were pulling off humor as well as individuality pretty well.
    Hopper seemed a bit; for the lack of a better term dumb this time around. The side plot of an experienced police officer and father to a second female child unable to find a way to have a proper birds and bees conversation or a Man to Man with Mike; instead devolving into a 'Stay Away From My Daughter' meathead was jarring. After 2 seasons Hopper seems to have regressed rather than grow.

    This was a quite a disappointment compared to S1 and almost on par to S2, my score is a result of 'Overall Story Arc' Writing that seems to be slipping downwards and no furtherance of anything with the Upside Down other than closing another portal.
    Also Maybe find smarter ways to inculcate the Product Placement, because other than the 'New Coke' which was kinda a big deal at the time considering the history behind the 'New Coke Recipe' debacle; product logos seemed very IN Your Face this time around.
    Hopefully we get back to the Amazing Lore and Tight Writing that propelled this show to its fame in the first place.    … Expand
  10. UncleWillard
    Jul 7, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Criticism for this has been pretty spot on; the Duffer Brothers sacrifices story for action and effects. This was always a YA sci-fi/horror story slathered in 80s nostalgia, but the action and nostalgia were amped up at the sacrifice of story and character development. At times this is downright smarmy and disgusting (Dustin and Suzys rendition of Neverending Story for example).

    Newcomer Robin (Maya Hawke) is a welcome addition, as is more of Brett Gelman, but I really wish they would have fed Erica (Priah Ferguson) to the monster in the first episode. What an annoying character. Same goes for Max with her faux Riot Girrl act. Hopper and Wills mom are comical and hammy, while the older kids, Nancy and Jonathan are practically absent (barring a stupid feminist narrative around Nancy's desire to be a reporter though she was hired as a receptionist).

    Hopper was reduced to kind of a Bluto-esque neanderthal with a hero's heart, so I guess that ends the romantic tension with Eill's mom (can't be bothered to remember her name). But did he die or go through the portal for season 4?


    And Billy symbolizes the death of toxic masculinity? He's a douchebag, but ultimately sacrifices himself for...something? Maybe Max will develop beyond her live/hate relationship with boys?

    For all the lights and action, it felt like not much happened. This barely feels connected to the series. Almost a summer spin-off of Stranger Things. Like eating dessert first before an otherwise bland and formulaic meal.    … Expand
  11. EerieDemonble
    Jul 6, 2019
    4
    "Meh" is the only way I can describe this season. And it was first time I watched half of the season using fast forward button...
    Main story and sub plots are just weak. Many new characters are outright cartoonish. No new lore about shadow dimension. And there is WAY too much comedy this season. It's hard to take horror or drama parts seriously when there is jokes and puns every 5 min.    "Meh" is the only way I can describe this season. And it was first time I watched half of the season using fast forward button...
    Main story and sub plots are just weak. Many new characters are outright cartoonish. No new lore about shadow dimension. And there is WAY too much comedy this season. It's hard to take horror or drama parts seriously when there is jokes and puns every 5 min.
    At least acting was good    … Expand
  12. Lambo442
    Jul 11, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very entertaining as usual and beautiful to look at, but a few elements put me off a bit. Firstly, the whole gang are seperated throughout most of the series. It feels weird with Dustin being missing from the dynamic. Then, things are just getting a bit rehashed and old. They have to close another gate? Come on. More secret facilities? It's a bit unoriginal now. The whole 'reaching out to Billy through one of his childhood memories' thing was a bit lame. Eleven describes details from the memory to him that he wouldn't even remember. So yeah, Billy's just damaged really, so now we have empathy for Billy.
    Then, when Hopper supposedly dies, there's no investigation, nobody in the community seems fussed. A depressing note to end it on too. Plus Hopper is irritating throughout the whole season. All he does is yell at Joyce Byers.
    You also get the impression that the sets are just being used for background eye candy, which feels a bit contrived. Like Starcourt being all Neon and lit up at night for the action.
    Entertaining, but dissapointing.    … Expand
  13. xDWx
    Jul 8, 2019
    4
    This show is very... ok. Not terrible, just vastly overrated. Season 3 has more gory moments than scary ones, which made it less interesting. So many of the episodes feel like they're treading water with the relationship melodrama. The big monster seemed kind of generic, and I felt the end fight to be underwhelming. I also didn't appreciate the way this time around they chose to turnThis show is very... ok. Not terrible, just vastly overrated. Season 3 has more gory moments than scary ones, which made it less interesting. So many of the episodes feel like they're treading water with the relationship melodrama. The big monster seemed kind of generic, and I felt the end fight to be underwhelming. I also didn't appreciate the way this time around they chose to turn all the male characters into buffoons for most of this season (very trendy in Hollywood these days), but at least they all went more or less back to normal for the big group battle in the last two episodes.

    I feel like there was so much wasted potential. I wish they would have done something more clever with the Russians or zombies, but the show seems to be more about making '80s references than in doing something original with them.

    On the positive side, the way they manage to replicate '80s period dress and settings is pretty impressive. I always enjoy Brett Gelman's character, and I thought Maya Hawke was pretty decent as a newcomer actress. There's also a surprise song in the last episode that made me genuinely laugh out loud.    … Expand
  14. JulienJaden
    Aug 2, 2019
    4
    [This review contains no spoilers - it only mentions a few things that were not addressed in this season but arguably should have been.]

    Season 3 is the weakest season of Stranger Things by far (with the sole exception of any future seasons which are bound to be worse). Instead of continuing some of the themes and playing to the series' strength (irrational fear of Soviet agents, the    [This review contains no spoilers - it only mentions a few things that were not addressed in this season but arguably should have been.]

    Season 3 is the weakest season of Stranger Things by far (with the sole exception of any future seasons which are bound to be worse).

    Instead of continuing some of the themes and playing to the series' strength (irrational fear of Soviet agents, the mystery of the secret government research), as well as tying up loose ends from previous seasons (other "gifted children", the fate of "Papa"), they went for flashier content over actual substance, random characterless villains over fleshing out existing ones, and made strange decisions regarding the character development and behavior of most recurring characters.

    Arguably, making this season was already a mistake in itself instead of leaving Season 2 as the series' conclusion, which would have been fine in most regards. But the things mentioned above show major shortcomings of the script that were easy to avoid and would have drastically increased the quality of the season because they would have addressed themes and issues that were hinted at but left in awkward places during Season 2, therefore allowing the Duffer Brothers to definitively end the series in a convincing, satisfying way.

    As it stands, the post-credit tease (which is by far the biggest mistake of it all, because it renders both several storypoints and all efforts throughout the season completely moot - all for the sake of foreshadowing another season, making this the reason I'm lowering my score by two points more than I originally intended) suggests that this series will be milked shamelessly until its audience finally abandon it in disgust, and that just makes me sad.

    Make no mistake, it was entertaining to watch, but where Season 1 and 2 left me thrilled, my mind going over all the the mysteries they hinted at and flabbergasted at the brilliance of the whole package, this one left a sour aftertaste and the many instances of plain bad scriptwriting make it feel like somebody with only the vaguest idea of "the story so far" and only a fraction of the talent of the previous screenwriter/s took over and butchered this one.    … Expand
  15. bulger_paul
    Aug 1, 2019
    6
    Disclaimer, there is one mild spoiler in this review, which I very clearly warn I'm about to reveal before talking about it. I do't talk much about the actual plot and mystery in this season, but I do talk about a character reveal some might consider spoilery. Anyways,

    Stranger Things: Season 3 is not without a lot of very strong moments, but something about this season really failed to    Disclaimer, there is one mild spoiler in this review, which I very clearly warn I'm about to reveal before talking about it. I do't talk much about the actual plot and mystery in this season, but I do talk about a character reveal some might consider spoilery. Anyways,

    Stranger Things: Season 3 is not without a lot of very strong moments, but something about this season really failed to capture the "magic" in the first two seasons, and it's hard to put my finger on just what that missing element is. For starters, this season seems very stylistically different from the first two seasons. The first two seasons were willing to simply "sit" for extended periods of time, letting tension build, drenching every episode in mystery and atmosphere with an incrementally building dread. It took its sweet time developing characters and world building and revealing its secrets. Season 3, on the other hand, is moving at a much more frenetic pace. Its chock full of abrupt, jarring transitions, its mysteries lack a certain "strangeness" to them, its mysteries are too quickly unraveled, there isn't as much interplay between its characters, and it feels less centered around its characters than it did in the previous season, etc. That being said, though, there are some moments I absolutely adored, most of them revolve around Robin, who is by far my favorite addition this season has brought in. I adored Maya Hawke's chemistry with Joe Keery, I adored the way their relationship progressed throughout the series, and I absolutely adored their moment together in the bathroom during her (SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER) coming out moment, immediately after Steve professes feelings for her, and the minutes that follow is one of the most wonderful and fulfilling completely platonic moments I've ever witnessed between two characters of the opposite sex in any series ever. So, I'm not going to prematurely declare that Stranger Things has lost its way, but I am going to call season 3 a very slight misstep. I hope the writers are able to recapture the magic and mystery of the first two seasons by season 4.    … Expand
  16. frankrog29
    Aug 9, 2019
    5
    The Duffer Brothers have lost their touch. Stranger Things was never a great show, but it was at least entertaining. However, season 3 is a slog. I kept waiting for it to get good but it never did. The show seems to have no raison d'etre now. It used to be fun to watch, but now it just feels like a chore.
  17. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 4, 2022
    6
    This season starts very low on its first two episodes. The characters feel disassociated, and very disconnected, and there’s really no mystery or nothing interesting to see than the gang being jerks with each other. But after episodes 3 and 4 the season starts building that so called tension we all expected. There were still many plot fails and the season overall wasn’t good enough to beatThis season starts very low on its first two episodes. The characters feel disassociated, and very disconnected, and there’s really no mystery or nothing interesting to see than the gang being jerks with each other. But after episodes 3 and 4 the season starts building that so called tension we all expected. There were still many plot fails and the season overall wasn’t good enough to beat the first one, but overall, despite its awful start and its multiple errors, this season holds up to the hype it built, and for a good part, it was a step into the right direction after season 2, which could not give the series the sequel it deserved. Not saying this season is what season 2 should have been, but I can say it’s not as overwhelming as it’ predecessor… Expand
  18. hello_world
    Aug 4, 2019
    5
    This is probably the weakest season. It can still be a fun time, but you need to turn your brain off a couple of times. Characters will sometimes forget how to run away and the plot starting to veer into territory where it was hard to maintain a suspension of disbelief. There was one episode where the editing was really bad, where the shots made no sense. The strongest thing the show hasThis is probably the weakest season. It can still be a fun time, but you need to turn your brain off a couple of times. Characters will sometimes forget how to run away and the plot starting to veer into territory where it was hard to maintain a suspension of disbelief. There was one episode where the editing was really bad, where the shots made no sense. The strongest thing the show has going for it is the likeable characters. If you're tired of watching the adventures of the stranger things gang, this season has very little else to offer.… Expand
  19. fudgsiclss
    Jul 4, 2019
    6
    Mediocre season overall. Story lacked the grounding elements of season 1 and 2, but instead felt like something else. Also the plot was quite clearly a copy of Game of Thrones White Walker storyline with the entire goal of the seasons including elements and mechanics of the villians being some rearrangement of the white Walker's abilities in Game of Thrones.
  20. CarnageRules
    Aug 25, 2019
    6
    A pesar del lento y un tanto forzado comienzo, esta temporada logra mantener al espectador intrigado durante gran parte de su desarrollo, tal como sus temporadas anteriores.
    El problema, es que mientras más cerca está el final, menos relevancia parece tener lo visto anteriormente. A fin de cuentas es un truco conocido en esta serie, que se repite una vez más pero que resulta especialmente    A pesar del lento y un tanto forzado comienzo, esta temporada logra mantener al espectador intrigado durante gran parte de su desarrollo, tal como sus temporadas anteriores.
    El problema, es que mientras más cerca está el final, menos relevancia parece tener lo visto anteriormente. A fin de cuentas es un truco conocido en esta serie, que se repite una vez más pero que resulta especialmente evidente y molesto en esta ocasión.
    Para finalizar, el final es tan poco trabajado e insulso que termina por sepultar todo lo bueno que tuvo esta temporada. De que sirve una trama interesante si el desenlace de la misma es decepcionante?
    En este sentido los creadores fueron tramposos. Pues ponen tanto énfasis en los “giros” (por así llamarlos) del último capítulo, que los defectos de producción del mismo pasaran inadvertidos para la mayoría de espectadores.    … Expand
  21. TudorPopescu
    Dec 10, 2020
    5
    I can't believe I'm saying this, but I didn't like season 3. The main issue is that now the mystery isn't that "mysterious" anymore. The show's strongest point used to be the unknown, the unpredictability, the suspense. You were never sure of what was going to happen. But now the mystery is kind of gone. We've already seen the monsters multiple times. It isn't "special" anymore. It alsoI can't believe I'm saying this, but I didn't like season 3. The main issue is that now the mystery isn't that "mysterious" anymore. The show's strongest point used to be the unknown, the unpredictability, the suspense. You were never sure of what was going to happen. But now the mystery is kind of gone. We've already seen the monsters multiple times. It isn't "special" anymore. It also feels like there's more focus on action than mystery in this season.

    I also hate Hopper. I didn't mind him much in the previous seasons, but he's unbearable now. He's an **** he's unlikable, he's downright abusive at times, and I can't stand him. I don't want him to be a love interest for Joyce and I don't want him to be the father figure for Eleven. The "overprotective father" and the "tough guy who's afraid to show his emotions" shticks are tiresome, overdone and unoriginal.

    I'm not saying this season is bad, but it's not good either. It's mediocre. If you're a Stranger Things die-hard fan, you might like this season. I didn't. But what I did like were the cinematography and the actors' performance. Everything else fell flat. I also wasn't a fan of the Russians subplot. Again, overdone to hell and back.    … Expand
  22. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 25, 2021
    6
    Ohhhhhh boy. It's a comedy now?? I'll go over some bullet points, I guess,

    All of the male characters, Hopper especially, have been dumbed down because it's "funny." Mike and Lucas have an entire scene dedicating to farting and burping. Dustin singing is one of the most "why is this in the show" moments ever. Every character feels like they're on Disney Channel now. Erica worked way    Ohhhhhh boy. It's a comedy now?? I'll go over some bullet points, I guess,

    All of the male characters, Hopper especially, have been dumbed down because it's "funny."
    Mike and Lucas have an entire scene dedicating to farting and burping.
    Dustin singing is one of the most "why is this in the show" moments ever.
    Every character feels like they're on Disney Channel now.
    Erica worked way better as a side character. She REALLY deserved to be developed more.
    The entire plot with the Russians.

    It's so crazy and over the top that...I kinda like it.
    I always see it as a parody of itself, and it works well that way. Also, there's some genuinely good moments, like the Mike and WIll fight in the rain, and Steve and Robin's dynamic. There's still a few good scenes here.

    But...as a season of Stranger Things...it just doesn't work, man.    … Expand
  23. Maxdom77
    Jul 26, 2022
    6
    Esta temporada empezo tan bien, parecia ser la temporada con mas personalidad pero el final... se convierte en otra pelea contra el mismo monstruo generico y desperdician el elememnto apocalipci zombie que plantearon al inicio por lo mismo de siempre, y la escritura y dirreccion son las mas caoticas de la serie (hasta ahora)

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Al Horner
    Jan 3, 2020
    80
    Stranger Things 3 practices what it preaches: instead of the pure nostalgia of previous seasons, the Duffer brothers break brilliant, terrifying new ground here.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 4, 2019
    80
    It’s a real and joyful return to form for the show that has been taken fiercely to the hearts of people who weren’t there the first time round and, perhaps even more fiercely, by those who were. The brothers continue to play with, reference and occasionally lift all the things that made the Johns, Carpenter and Hughes, and the Steph(/v)ens, King and Spielberg, enduringly great and mash them into something equally fun, racy and frightening as hell for us all on the small screen. It’s almost like being young again.
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