“Stranger Things” filled summertime screens and captivated our eyes in July 2016. The show made waves with its iconic red glowing letters and eerie synth-sound intro, transporting viewers to the world of suburban 1980s Americana. Grainy cinematography, retro coloring, walkie-talkies, bike rides, letterman jackets, school hallways and basement board games — all quintessential mementos of an unknown reality with familiar nostalgia.
The crew of nerdy preteens, popular high schoolers and family bonds mixed with suspenseful scenes and constant mystery created an irresistible show that made us want to get to know the characters more to find out what exactly was going on in 1983 Hawkins, Ind.
This show was digestible and intriguing to a multi-generational audience as it catered to those who lived through the ’80s as well as young ones experiencing coming-of-age themes. Its blend of a foundation in a thriller plot and not being too gory for the younger viewers, allowed a good balance for all ages to enjoy. The themes seemed to get darker, visuals more graphic and a heavier tone within each season, resulting in greater emotion and disturbance as it went on.
The first season was released in 2016, the second followed in 2017, the third in 2019 and the fourth in 2022. The show has now reached its end of a complex story with its final season, Volume 1, that premiered on Nov. 26. This fifth season is split up into three volumes, with Volume 2 coming out on Dec. 25 and the season finale on Dec. 31.
The majority of university students, who found themselves hooked on this show when they were beginning their teenage years, got to start a special relationship with the series, growing up with the actors. The cast playing the beloved characters of Mike, Dustin, Eleven, Lucas and Will were 11 to 13 years old, growing up throughout the seasons on- and off-camera. Many of the preteens who started this show are now watching the final season as adults, along with the actors. This tumultuous journey for both the audience and actors alike is not a common occurrence for many TV shows, meaning it holds a greater impact for those who stuck with it.
Michael Frausto, a PLNU alumnus with a degree in psychology, reminisced on the impact the show has had on him.
“The whole show throughout the [nine] years has made me feel like my childhood experience has been extended,” he said. “It’s a show that I feel free to be myself because of the characters that I feel attached to.”
“Stranger Things” has stayed prevalent as a major entertainment franchise and has successfully kept fans on their toes all this time. The effect is deeply rooted in those who watched this from the beginning at an earlier age, such as Ana David, a third-year applied health science major.
“When I was younger, the show was very impressive and interesting, especially since we were watching kids from a different time period going on adventures and growing as friends,” David said. “It was unlike any show I’d ever watched before.”
While the show holds deep sentimental value for many people, others said watching it can become more challenging as age becomes a factor.
“As the years have gone by, I’m less interested, maybe because I’m older now,” David said, “but I have been invested for so long, I still want to see the story come to fruition.”
While five seasons throughout nine years is a difficult mission to keep people coming back, “Stranger Things” has done an excellent job completing this, whether people feel like they’ve outgrown the characters and the show itself or still feel right at home in its universe.
“The actual cast is our age, in their early 20s, so there’s this bond we have with the actors in this series that keeps us watching as well,” Frausto said.
Adee Tulcan 
Kaelyn VanderSpek