Pop culture has recently been in a constant state of remakes and scraps from the past, which feel like old memories. TV lately has consisted of reboots, remakes and sequels, each one more sloppy than the last. Then came “Stranger Things,” a science fiction show set in the 80s, created by the Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross Duffer. The show is something genuine and thrillingly new; it was meticulously designed to be revolutionary.
The hit show, highly rated on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 90% debuted on Netflix in July 2016, and since then, the series has been off the charts. Set in the small fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the show is a tribute to 80s pop culture, giving it a strong sense of nostalgia. The story begins with the vanishing of a young boy. However, the show became popular for its blend of childhood friendship, government conspiracies and supernatural horror.
The show is not a simple story written to impress an audience. “Stranger Things” gives a familiar sense of nostalgia with its 1980s fashion and culture. The revolution of the multi-season show isn’t in a new visual effect or a never-before-seen plot; it’s in the complete mastery of emotional storytelling.
It’s a show that not only understood its audience but also carefully crafted its audience. The Duffer brothers created a world where bicycles and Dungeons and Dragons campaigns were the setting, not the point.
The point was the raw emotion of childhood friendship, the terror of the unknown and the fierce love of a protective mother pushed to her limit. Joyce Byers, with her Christmas lights and desperation, became one of television’s most iconic and relatable figures, grounding the sci-fi horror in a universal human truth: you will do anything for the people you love.
What makes this show so revolutionary is its narrative power. The 80s aesthetic draws the audience in, but the characters are the hook. The show does not focus solely on the kids as a singular unit. “Stranger Things” wove together multiple, equally compelling narratives. Fans care just as much about the awkward evolving relationships of teenagers Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers and Steve Harrington with his flawless redemption arc as they do about Eleven’s sacrifice or government conspiracy, every character from Chief Jim Hopper to Barb Holland, whose brutal ending showed mastery in storytelling.
Furthermore, “Stranger Things” rewrote the rules for television. The release of Season 5 Volume 1 on Nov. 26 was an event for many fans. Similar to previous seasons, the release of season five hit like a meteor, breaking records, dominating conversations and social media feeds. It created a global community of fans dissecting every frame, musical cue and cryptic clue.
The anticipation was high for “Stranger Things 5,” resulting in an opening with 59.6 million views, making it Netflix’s biggest English-language TV debut ever. After Volume 1, fans took over social platforms Reddit, Instagram and TikTok with theories, ship names and even drawing parallels to the game Dungeons and Dragons.
“Stranger Things” is not just a hit show; it's a revolutionary series that proved a smart, heartfelt story can resonate with fans of all demographics. It showed its audience that nostalgia is not just a trick to bring them in, but a powerful tool for connecting with them emotionally and creating a story that feels both comforting and excitingly new.
It reminded fans what it felt like to believe in the magic of a good story and be huddled around a screen with friends and family. “Stranger Things” set the bar for what television could be and will go down in history.
Heidi Bartolone is a sophomore studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Heidi about her column? Email her at hb963023@ohio.edu. @heidibartolone
