People are raving about Netflix’s wonderful new show Stranger Things and here’s why

Paul Moore

Love The X-Files and The Goonies? Then watch this.

The 80s had some absolutely wonderful films and TV shows that managed to perfect an almost impossible mix, combining young characters that were believable with a very dark and gothic narrative. Think about films like The Lost Boys, The Goonies, Flight of the Navigator or Stand By Me. All of these classics share similar traits; adventure, memorable characters and genuine darkness.

Netflix’s latest original show has been earning comparisons to all of the above titles but there’s also a strong element of The X-Files and the films of John Carpenter at play when you watch Stranger Things. High praise indeed but it’s entirely justified.

What’s the show about then? Stranger Things is a love letter to the supernatural classics of the 80’s as it tells the story of a young boy who vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.

Without giving too much away, the Winona Ryder led show is a real treat for fans of classic adventure stories that contain an element of darkness and danger to them.

People have already been utterly captivated by it.

Stranger Things may be a lot of thngs: King, Spielberg, 80's, myself (Duffers pointed that to me) but what it is, above all, is good!!

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 17, 2016

Watching STRANGER THINGS is looking watching Steve King's Greatest Hits. I mean that in a good way.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 17, 2016

2 episodes into #StrangerThings and I just don't understand why I'm working in the morning. Like but why tho

— Laura Bailey (@LauraBaileyVO) July 18, 2016