Spoilers Netflix Series: Stranger Things - Season 1 Thread

[Q2UnME]

Stranger Things: "When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back". - IMDB

I'm not in the habit of starting threads, but after absolutely binging the hell out of this 8 episode Netflix original series this weekend, I figured there might be others out there who have watched this truly excellent program and might want to talk about it.

I've marked this thread "Spoilers" so that discussions can be free and clear, but I'm not going to start dropping spoilers here until more folks have a chance to see it and then begin to chime in.

For me, it had elements of X-Files, mixed with a healthy dose of Stand By Me and a little bit of Goonies tossed in for good measure. The production values we very good, acting was absolutely terrific from the young leads and the experienced veterans. The writing was very tight, good story with excellent character development and interaction. The 1983 setting was really brought to life through some very good locations, set decoration and careful prop selections. Many times I was "Yea, I remember having that!"

Anyone else out there catch this great series? I cannot strongly recommend this any more, than by giving it a very rare (for me) 9.5 / 10

(It's that good).

Q2UnME

 

[Q2UnME]

Well, I found a thread about it over in TV & Media. Best join in the fun over there:

http://www.trekbbs.com/threads/netflixs-new-series-stranger-things.282281/#post-11669090

I would have thought this would be the right form for this show, given it's subject matter. Ohs, well...

 

[Skywalker]

It's a wonderful show. It took me by surprise because I'd never even heard of it until it showed up on Netflix. A friend of mine was talking about it and it sounded right up my alley, so I checked it out. Pretty much flew right through it. I'm happy that it's getting a second season.

And yeah, there's another thread in TVM, but it makes way more sense to discuss this in SF/F. Maybe the two threads can be merged?

 

[theenglish]

I saw this posted to Netflix and have been trying to figure out its rating. Can my kids watch it--they are nine but are mature enough to watch things like most Marvel movies. Can anybody give a general language, violence, scares, sex rating for me?

 

[Skipper]

I saw this posted to Netflix and have been trying to figure out its rating. Can my kids watch it--they are nine but are mature enough to watch things like most Marvel movies. Can anybody give a general language, violence, scares, sex rating for me?

There are some scary scenes and some PG-13 "sex" scenes. I don't know about the language because i saw it in Italian...

 

[Skipper]

Found this:
Parents Guide for "Stranger Things"

 

[Skipper]

^Beware to the spoilers!

 

[Skywalker]

There wasn't any nudity, and most of the swearing was limited to 'shit.' I don't recall hearing any F bombs. There's some violence but it's not very gory, most of that sort of stuff happens offscreen. It's got a few jump scares and relies more on scaring you with what you can't see, allowing your mind to fill in the blanks, than on in-your-face blood and guts. It's very old-school horror/thriller material.

ETA: That parents' guide @Skipper posted is a good one, if you don't mind some spoilers.

 

[theenglish]

Thanks--I may watch some episodes first. Unfortunately the way it looks on Netflix makes it seem like a YA type series.

 

[Kahless the Unforgettable]

Fantastic series. And the chick who plays Eleven has definitely got to be on the fast track to becoming a big star in the future.

 

[Seven of Five]

Just watched this over the last couple of days, and loved it. Gripping story, well acted and produced. Really enjoyed it.

 

[slappy]

Fantastic series. And the chick who plays Eleven has definitely got to be on the fast track to becoming a big star in the future.

What happened to her character was a damn shame. She was way more compelling than that little goof they were trying to rescue. They sacrificed the wrong kid.

I saw this posted to Netflix and have been trying to figure out its rating. Can my kids watch it--they are nine but are mature enough to watch things like most Marvel movies. Can anybody give a general language, violence, scares, sex rating for me?

It's a little violent, probably moreso than a Marvel movie, but it's more implied than anything else. Think Raiders of The Lost Ark. Language is pretty much a bunch of shi*ts and as*sholes at worst. One sex scene, no nudity, but the entire sex story can be considered a PSA on why sex is not to be entered into lightly.

 

[Mr Light]

I just marathoned this this weekend myself and I loved it! I was totally hooked. Loved the 80s nostalgia. It wasn't terribly original but that's okay.

 

[Skipper]

A Barb tribute...

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[.:: TSN ::.]

What happened to her character was a damn shame. She was way more compelling than that little goof they were trying to rescue. They sacrificed the wrong kid.

I have a feeling that we might be seeing her again in the second season. She does like Eggo's.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Yeah, it seems unlikely that Hopper is just feeding the squirrels.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I knew two things going in: it was set in the 80s and it had a strange little girl.

So is this the most bingeable thing ever? I meant to watch an episode or two last night and didn't get to bed til 3AM after watching all but one. As I watched the finale I noticed just how intently I was watching it. There's a couple of points as it wrapped up that I'm not 100% about but it was good.

I really liked how coherently the storylines come together, it's nice to a series for once that doesn't feel like it's just winging it. Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven is amazing but all of the kids were great, really all the actors for that matter and I was really pleasantly surprised by Winona Ryder.

The haircut for the ages:
https://twitter.com/milliebbrown/status/767428947655155712

Now, leggo my Eggo!

I saw this posted to Netflix and have been trying to figure out its rating. Can my kids watch it--they are nine but are mature enough to watch things like most Marvel movies. Can anybody give a general language, violence, scares, sex rating for me?

It has some intense and scary moments and there is some swearing. The occasional gore and the one sex scene is done with a good amount of restraint. I'd say it's roughly PG-13, probably on the low end if you were to list the content but balanced out by the intensity. That said, I kept thinking how much I would have loved this as a kid and I think there's a lot of positive messages and points for discussion. A lot about what friendship and love mean, the "romance" between the kids is adorable. I absolutely wouldn't let them watch unattended and would highly recommend previewing it first though nine is young but I think it could be a good viewing experience if the kids are ready for it. Another couple years and for sure.

 

[theenglish]

It has some intense and scary moments and there is some swearing. The occasional gore and the one sex scene is done with a good amount of restraint. I'd say it's roughly PG-13, probably on the low end if you were to list the content but balanced out by the intensity. That said, I kept thinking how much I would have loved this as a kid and I think there's a lot of positive messages and points for discussion. A lot about what friendship and love mean, the "romance" between the kids is adorable. I absolutely wouldn't let them watch unattended and would highly recommend previewing it first though nine is young but I think it could be a good viewing experience if the kids are ready for it. Another couple years and for sure.

Thanks for the review. My kids have moved on to other things now that the series is off the front page of Netflix. I definitely want to watch this first, but need to find the time.

 

[Ridcully]

Total loved it, my wife and I cruised through it with glee, and had a good time!

 

[shapeshifter]

My only complaints are with Rider's constant whining and the kids screaming and running around like the Goonies. It got on my nerves after a while.

The score reminds me of Carpenters The Thing. They nailed the 80's visually and with characterizations.

I wonder though, will next season, (if planned) be a continuation of this tale or will the series feature a new story each season. I know this one left an opening for continuation but I really hope they do something else. New story in a different era but with just as much attention to detail.