Stranger Things actor Millie Bobby Brown – image Teen Vogue Netflix – © 2022
For nearly a decade, Stranger Things has captivated audiences with its cross generational blend of 80s nostalgia and supernatural horror. But has Netflix milked the series for all its worth, leaving little more than recycled nostalgia behind? The series exploded onto the cultural scene in a rare phenomenon that captured the imaginations of multiple generations at once. Now, with fans eagerly awaiting the release of season five on November 26th audiences are expecting big things from this popular franchise. However, the question remains has Stranger Things flogged as much out of its existence possible?
The problem with Stanger things isn’t the storytelling but the endless explanations Netflix has milked until there is nothing but recycled catchphrases and hollow narratives remaining. Critics may have hailed Stranger Things as a cultural triumph, but instead of going out in a blaze of glory, the show has dragged out a plot that has become thinner with each season. The Duffer Brothers have overexplained the physics of the Upside Down until it has been analysed to death, it’s now tedious. Let’s not even dive into the Hopper in Russia detour which felt like an excuse to explain Hoppers (actor David Harbour) dramatic weight loss. For all its hype and popularity Stanger Things has been running on narrative empty for some time. The plot has never evolved and is basically the same season after season… something creepy delves out of the Upside Down and the gang piece together the mystery by over explaining the Upside Down again and again.
YouTube – Stranger Things 5 trailer
Let’s talk about the aging cast. While undeniably talented, they’re clearly adults, yet the show still insists on portraying them as middle schoolers and it painfully obvious. Even though half the kids on bikes would be driving and shaving, what once felt genuinely like a coming of age story is now awkwardly acted out by twenty something’s.
Image: Courtesy Stranger Things/ Photo by Courtesy of Netflix/Courtesy of Netflix – © 2022 Netflix, Inc./ IMDb
Honestly Stranger Things could have ended on season three. While there have been great moments in all seasons its overly lengthy format has lost it punchy appeal. The countdown to the season five release feels lackluster in anticipation. At this stage Stranger Things feels like it is only kept alive because Netflix can’t let go of its biggest cash cow. If season five fails to deliver on plot, storyline and punch it will be remembered as the series that didn’t know when to close the gate.
References and links:
https://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/stranger-things-season-5-release-date
https://critiquelens.com/tv-show-critiques/how-stranger-things-became-a-cultural-phenomenon/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Duffer_Brothers
https://www.thedigitalfix.com/stranger-things/how-hopper-russia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Harbour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKZyYdwS3Wg
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4574334/mediaviewer/rm4222951169/
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