Stranger Things is a science-fiction horror television series about a group of young friends who investigate and fight dangerous supernatural forces in their community. It is set in the 1980’s in the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana. “Stranger Things” is written and directed by the American filmmakers Matt and Ross Duffer, who are twin brothers. The show is produced by the internet streaming service Netflix . It first aired in 2016. “Stranger Things” became popular for its suspenseful plot, nostalgic imagery, and dynamic character relationships. Works that are nostalgic call forth a sense of longing, often for the past. The show and its cast have won many awards.
The plot centers on the friends Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard). When Will goes missing, the other friends decide to investigate. Their search leads them to a mysterious government laboratory and an escaped test subject known as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Further investigation reveals the existence of a parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. A parallel dimension is a world much like our own that differs in some way. Other major characters in the series include the police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour); Will’s mother Joyce (Winona Ryder) and older brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton); Finn’s older sister Nancy (Natalia Dyer); and the high-schooler Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).
“Stranger Things” became noted for its references to 1980’s popular culture. The show takes inspiration from such diverse works as the teen comedy motion picture Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), the fantasy film E. T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), the horror film Poltergeist (1982), and the television detective series “Magnum, P.I.” (1980-1988). The show’s creators also drew on popular conspiracy theories about government experiments involving children and others with paranormal abilities—that is, abilities that cannot be explained by standard science.
