Stranger Things

An intriguing show that made me think of Silent Hill, X-Files, Twin Peaks, It, The Thing, and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. It’s a great series with a retro vibe, with excellent David Harbour, and Winona Ryder who’s pushing a little too hard. As I’ve said before, I don't like kids in movies (with a few exceptions). They are usually there just to appeal to the viewer’s emotions. But this series, apart from its great theme, is mainly based on child actor performances that are admittedly awesome. Given that it’s such a well-crafted series, there are some annoying logic holes in the script, e.g. the "bad guys" go through a complicated process of trying to find out who is broadcasting or making phone calls and from where, they even shoot the man who gave food to Eleven, but the police chief who gets into the heart of the project is only taken home and gets a bug planted in his ceiling light – weird and perplexing. Despite these gripes, I think it's a great show and deserves 5 stars. (29.08.2016)

After the first season, I'm very happy. I've always liked great stories about kids’ groups, even though, paradoxically, I'm actually not a huge fan of child actors in film and on TV. However, the creators took it in the right direction, obviously inspired by Stephen King’s stories and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. They set up an atmosphere of subtle nervousness, escalating suspense and convincing action, which was right up my alley and I can't rate it other than five stars. (14.02.2018)

The pilot episode sets a perfectly dark and mysterious tone, generating a lot of questions without giving any answers. Right from the start, the contrast between the natural performances of the child actors and Winona Ryder’s over-the-top acting is striking. It feels like she really really wants an award... (13.02.2018)

The second episode continues to build on the strong start, delivering several intriguing moments. The characters encounter two kinds of power: one represented by Dr. Brenner and his "scientific" team, and the other showcased by Eleven to her new friends. And once again, someone goes missing... (13.02.2018)

The episode dives into multiple investigations. The sheriff, Mike's group, and Nancy are all searching, but at least one of these quests seems doomed from the start. It's a shame that Winona Ryder plays Will's mom; the character had the potential to be one of the most interesting, but as it stands, I always find myself hoping her scenes wrap up quickly. (13.02.2018)

The creators have expertly layered paranoia about secret government actions onto the dark atmosphere, ramping up the tension. The only distracting element remains Winona Ryder's over-the-top performance, clearly aiming to steal the spotlight. While she certainly grabs attention, it has the unintended benefit of highlighting the impressive acting skills of the child actors and David Harbour. (13.02.2018)

The atmosphere got even tenser as three groups pursued their own missions: finding Will, hunting the monster, and uncovering the government conspiracy. Despite the potential for narrative chaos, the episode works brilliantly, like a puzzle slowly coming together to reveal a clear picture. (14.02.2018)

The episode had strong Stephen King vibes with its focus on child heroes, which I loved since I'm a huge fan of King's work. Each group continues their individual quests, though it's pretty clear they'll eventually merge for a final showdown. Even with this predictability, it was a fantastic episode. (14.02.2018)

The storylines finally converged, with all the characters now working together. If the previous episode felt like a Stephen King novel, the chase scene in this one had major E.T. vibes. The plot is clearly heading towards its climax, and I can't wait for the finale. (14.02.2018)

The finale was fantastic. The creators maintained the dark atmosphere that they had established from the pilot, blending it seamlessly with heightened tension and excellent action. Most of the burning questions were answered, but they also introduced new ones that will keep us eagerly awaiting the next season. (14.02.2018)

Four stars after nine episodes is a decent score, but I was disappointed by Ellie's journey to her mother. The whole Episode 7 felt completely out of place. I wonder how the child actors' growing up will affect my rating of future seasons (I still haven’t gotten over Brandon Stark). I was otherwise very happy with this season, even though it failed to keep up the atmosphere I was used to in the first one. Despite my occasional nitpicking and the constantly overplaying Winona Ryder, I did enjoy Season 2 and look forward to the next one. (09.02.2018)

The episode perfectly recaptured the atmosphere of the previous season, bringing back that beloved 80s retro vibe. Right from the opening shots, I was reminded of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, thanks in part to the old gang on their bikes. This episode felt like a warm-up, and I’m expecting more action in the upcoming episodes. I'm saving that fifth star for when things really kick off. (07.02.2018)

The second episode brought me right back to the classic Stranger Things vibe I love. The switching between worlds reminded me of playing Silent Hill on the PS1 years ago — the atmosphere is just as eerie, even if the game was way bloodier. Winona Ryder is once again trying hard to prove she's the show's biggest star, while the rest of the cast, especially the kids, deliver such natural performances that it blows my mind. (08.02.2018)

I enjoyed the third episode even more than the last. The atmosphere got a bit darker, and the tension ramped up nicely. Sure, the whole rotting crop situation didn't grab me much, but Dustin and his jelly-like pet were pretty entertaining. I'm curious to see when the story will focus on those two strange non-siblings so I can learn more about their past. (08.02.2018)

Alright, Dart and Dustin's antics are starting to get a bit stale, but Will's storyline is really keeping me hooked. As someone who's done some serious digging before, I can't buy that trench the sheriff dug. It should've left him looking way more worn out. The atmosphere was excellent, but it really shined in Will's scenes. (08.02.2018)

The show is still one of the better ones out there, but the loose ends are starting to bug me. The biggest plot hole? The tunnel scene. The sheriff is struggling inch by inch, while his rescuers just breeze through behind him without a hitch, no spores attacking them or anything. This part felt a bit sloppy from the creators. I’m giving it four stars, but mostly for the overall quality so far. (08.02.2018)

The creators ditched the nonsense and cranked up the action, bringing back that dark, intense atmosphere and ramping up the tension. This is the kind of show I was hoping for. The only letdown was the explanation of Max's past. I expected something darker, not such a trivial backstory. (08.02.2018)

This episode felt like tuning into a completely different show, and I wasn't really into it. The journey to find "the sister" seemed like a pointless detour. If the creators added this episode just to increase the count compared to the first season, it was a mistake. Pure filler. (09.02.2018)

Despite a lot of predictable moments, I gave the eighth episode five stars because, after the previous one, it was a visual treat. The creators killed Bob, those jerks, just as he was growing on me. Sean Astin played the lovable goof so well, and he should definitely start coaching Winona Ryder because my nerves can’t take much more of her overacting. (09.02.2018)

A fantastic finale. It had a wonderfully chilling atmosphere, consistent tension, and plenty of quality action. The dance at the end gave off strong Carrie vibes. Maybe it's those 80s decorations that look so much like the 70s. Overall, an excellent episode. (09.02.2018)