I practically live on Netflix, so when I found out through twitter and buzzfeed that a new original series had come out on Netflix, I just had to check it out. I was not disappointed at all. The new series is called Stranger Things, and I sat down one summer morning and watched the whole thing from start to finish. I am going to try not to give any spoilers in this review, but if I do, I will make sure to alert to them by stating “spoiler alert.”

I recommend this series if you like suspense, the eighties (hairspray, mom jeans, etc.), friendship, and unlikely heroes. I think everybody should watch this series, mainly because I want to talk about the show, and especially about my favorite characters Dustin and Eleven. Strangers Things had me from the moment the screen read “starring Winona Ryder.” Winona Ryder can be seen in cult following movies such as Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, and Beetlejuice.

Stranger Things is one of the newest Netflix original Sci-fi horror series set during the 1980’s. This series was written by Matt and Ross Duffer and is chalked full of nostalgic vignettes of the 80’s as well as the popular culture of the time.  The music and the fashion, among other things, is unmistakably 80’s. I mean that in a good way, as this series played homage to many shows and popular culture with a cult following such as The X-files, E.T. and Stand by Me to name a few. This show is suspenseful, but not scary, and provides a means of escape for anyone, especially those willing to binge watch all eight episodes in one sitting (like I did). This series is by no means a throwaway show; it has a distinct plot and characters who are relatable. It’s just a good show that draws you in with it’s haunting mystic and keeps you hooked just by having a simple, genuine genre for all ages.    

This series uses constructed flashbacks when characters are under high stress. The situations the main characters and others get into involve emotions and jokes and showcase their vulnerability and how scars don’t just have to be physical. This series is sincere and honest which is so refreshing to see being portrayed anywhere, let alone on a streaming website. I believe the actors playing characters in the series, because they not only are given relatable situations to act out, they are given truthful and honest emotions to portray as well. The Duffer Brothers who created the series did a fantastic job making this series as real as it could possibly be, which is not only a part of the show’s popularity, but it’s a part of the show’s allure as well.

Spoiler Alert! The series is centered around Mike, Lucas, Dustin and Will who, at first, seem to be playing an unassuming game of Dungeons and Dragons in Mike’s basement. It gets late and Mike’s mom makes it clear that Mike and his friends are done playing games for tonight. Even though Mike protests his mother’s decision, he ends up saying bye to his friends. Lucas and Dustin race each other home while Will (having the furthest to go) waves bye to them to head home. It’s interesting to note that the light on Will’s bike to guide him home this late night has run out of battery life. Not to worry, that was just a light he should be fine, except he sees “a strange thing” in the path in front of him that causes him to be thrown from his bike. He will have to travel on foot now to get home. So, Will runs home on foot and gets inside his house safely only for that “strange thing” to follow him home. He runs from his house to the shed outside and tries to load a shotgun in time to defend himself. However, all the viewer sees is darkness and the click of a light string being pulled as the screen fades to the next day. Is Will alive and will anyone notice his absence? That remains to be seen, check out “Stranger Things” on Netflix to found out. I highly recommend you watch this, and I can’t wait for season two to be released.