As a Stranger Things fan, the first thing I want to get out there is that I didn’t like the first season as much as others did. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked it. I just felt like it was missing something. However, it didn’t surprise me that it was a massive hit as Eighties nostalgia is at an all-time high in recent years. And by the time it got to its second season, I was fully on board.

During the second season, the show begins to find its voice and to fully develop its characters. Yet, it is this season where I feel Stranger Things starts to have actual fun with the overarching story of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends in the town of Hawkins. Season three really nails the tone of the series even though it mixes a range of influences such as John Hughes, David Cronenberg and Stephen Spielberg.

For me, it is this sense of fun that really makes this more enjoyable than before with returning characters Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder) really showing chemistry. This is what kept me hooked this season but also reminded me that the previous seasons weren’t as adept at this balancing act. Throw in some gross-out sequences and you have a really entertaining third season.

As I said, I have always enjoyed Stranger Things but this time I loved it. And it contains NeverEnding Story references which there simply aren’t enough of. Going forward, I cannot wait to see how Stranger Things continues to develop and hone its balancing act.

Disclaimer Notice: Any thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely my own. Any images (copyrighted or otherwise) have been used according to Creative Commons and if needed, have been referenced to the best of my knowledge.

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