Stranger Things Season 1 (2016) and Season 2 (2017) Review

When Stranger Things entered our lives on July 15, 2016, no one could have predicted the enormous cultural impact it would have over the years. Today, the release of the first four episodes of its fifth and final season has already crashed Netflix’s servers due to excessive traffic. Breaking viewership records with every new installment, the series continues to reign as the most-watched English-language production on the platform. The long-running success of its creators, the Abilene-born Duffer Brothers, burns just as brightly in the show’s final season.

The primary factor behind the series’ massive success is, unsurprisingly, its ability to authentically recreate the spirit and cinematic language of the 1980s. For a romantic viewer like myself—someone who nostalgically longs for that era—this show means a great deal. Very few productions today offer an original, non-derivative story while simultaneously delivering such high production value and presenting a retro atmosphere with this level of sincerity. When Stranger Things comes to an end on January 1, 2026, many fans will undoubtedly feel an indefinite sense of emptiness. Finding another series capable of filling that void will be anything but easy.

Now, let’s move on to the main focus of this article: an in-depth look at the show’s first two seasons.

Stranger Things Season 1: Being a Kid in the ’80s and the Power of Friendship

The season grabbed viewers’ attention from the very first episode and its opening minutes. Synth-heavy music, a dark atmosphere, a missing child, and a strange girl with a boyish haircut… The impact of the pilot only grew as the audience was swept into the quest to solve the unknown.

The disappearance of Will Byers, one of a tight-knit group of four boys, instantly pulled us into its mystery. And then came Eleven—known simply as “El,” real name Jane—a young girl with a shaved head who escapes captivity and experiences true friendship for the first time. Her presence immediately evokes two films. The first is Steven Spielberg’s 1982 science-fiction classic E.T.. The Duffer Brothers even had actress Millie Bobby Brown watch the movie repeatedly to imitate the alien’s demeanor. Like E.T., Eleven is gentle, frightened, and gifted—her telekinetic powers exploited by U.S. intelligence as part of the covert MK-Ultra program designed for clandestine foreign espionage.

The season also strongly recalls Stand By Me, the 1985 adaptation of Stephen King’s novella, one of the finest cinematic portrayals of friendship. While the film had not yet been released in the show’s timeline—Season 1 is set in 1983—the thematic echoes are unmistakable.

The Duffers infused the show with countless other touchstones of 1980s cinema. John Carpenter’s 1982 classic The Thing served as an inspiration for the show’s monsters. Wes Craven’s 1984 horror masterpiece A Nightmare on Elm Street left its fingerprints on the dreamlike terror of the Upside Down. And Spielberg’s Jaws even appears in poster form, standing as one of the many cultural artifacts lovingly woven into the show’s fabric.

Will Byers’ disappearance sets the story in motion, but his significance extends far beyond that. Forced to survive for a time in the alternate dimension known as the Upside Down, poor Will emerges deeply traumatized—and possibly carrying an eerie new power he never asked for. Eleven, meanwhile, begins to unlock her full potential through the bond she forms with the boys. Previously forced to use her abilities only within the confines of a secret laboratory, she now becomes the group’s superhero.

The boys’ shared passion for Dungeons & Dragons is essential. Through them, we too begin to believe in monsters, other realms, and the extraordinary. Their bond, strengthened by innocence and loyalty—and with Eleven as the mysterious new addition to their “party”—transforms them into a force far greater than their age would suggest.

Season 1 arrived at precisely the right moment and, with its masterful storytelling, enchanted both general audiences and lovers of ’80s pop culture. Blending fantasy, dark adventure, science fiction, horror, suspense, coming-of-age themes, and friendship, it quickly became one of the finest works of its genre. The season that helped propel Netflix into global dominance unquestionably deserves a solid 9/10. While many cast and crew members consider it their favorite, mine lies elsewhere—something I will explain in the upcoming reviews of the later seasons.

Stranger Things Season 2: Ghostbusters vs. The Mind Flayer

Riding the momentum of Season 1, the second season premiered roughly fifteen months later. This time, its thematic backbone came from another beloved ’80s classic: Ghostbusters (1984). The iconic costumes fit our young heroes perfectly.

The main conflict revolves around the Mind Flayer, a malevolent being that marked Will Byers while he was trapped in the Upside Down. Well-known to fans of Dungeons & Dragons and other RPGs, the Mind Flayer is a telepathic entity capable of entering and manipulating the minds of individuals and otherworldly creatures alike. Since it slipped through the rift opened by Eleven in Season 1, she must now close the gate to stop it.

This season introduces a new character: Max, who joins the group perhaps to balance the show’s lack of female preteens. With her introverted personality and troubled home life, Max brings new dimensions to the theme of friendship. Her skills at arcade games—another cherished symbol of ’80s culture—instantly earn her a place in the group. Her brother Billy, with his volatile temperament and striking presence, also becomes one of the show’s most memorable additions.

Season 2 is widely regarded by fans as the weakest season—and the reason is almost universally the seventh episode. Titled “The Lost Sister,” it attempts to expand the universe by introducing another test subject, Eight (or Kali), who shares Eleven’s telekinetic origins. But the episode veers so far from the show’s established tone and setting that it becomes a narrative black hole. Its disconnection from the main storyline and absence of essential characters nearly derails the season. Thankfully, the final episodes regain momentum, delivering a strong conclusion.

Finn Wolfhard (Mike) continues to give impressive performances, even while starring in the box-office sensation IT the same year. Winona Ryder remains the emotional anchor of the cast—an invaluable, seasoned “team captain” for the production. Sadie Sink shows early promise as Max, and Sean Astin’s Bob, despite his fame from The Lord of the Rings, gives a surprisingly weak performance and leaves little lasting impact.

Though the season stumbles and often feels unfocused or repetitive, its rich 1980s atmosphere, strong finale, improved direction, and rising performances justify an overall score of 7/10. Still, Season 2 created serious doubts about the show’s future and momentarily threatened the possibility of additional seasons.

Author: Volkan Çağlayan