Still reeling from the events last year, the gang tries to move on with their lives. However, a threat is brewing both on Earth and the Upside Down.Still reeling from the events last year, the gang tries to move on with their lives. However, a threat is brewing both on Earth and the Upside Down.Still reeling from the events last year, the gang tries to move on with their lives. However, a threat is brewing both on Earth and the Upside Down.
- Jim Hopper
- (credit only)
- Dr. Sam Owens
- (credit only)
Featured reviews
I feel like they've handled the grief max is feeling quite well. The whole episode felt a bit slow as a beginning episode but I suppose that's because there's a lot to come. It's good to see what's happened since we last saw them all.
I love all of the horror vibes as well, that's something that keeps me coming back to this series. As per usual with Stranger Things, the sound design, VFX, acting and direction are all top quality!
Really solid.
Starting high school for any kid is a tough thing but having this as the point where the series starts i was thinking this was going to be some coming of age for the first half of the series but it really wasnt! This jumped 2 footed into the new story and not missing a beat. With the actors being older theres a lot more they can play with in terms of horror and story line which certainly shows through in the ending of the opening episode. This was dark, grewsome and whole heartily scary at points, Lets not forgot that there were some truly funny moments in the series which just proves this has not lost its charm.
Overall with 7 episodes being released i cannot wait to burn through these but al want to make sure that i enjoy these. Waiting this amount of time and finishing them in a weekend is not the one for me. Roll on episode 2!
This is an incredibly entertaining episode with great 80s nostalgia and horror-genre filmmaking.
The plot's primary focus is to set the scene following the events of the previous season and establish the lives of certain characters split between different locations. It does this incredibly well with great cinematography, editing, colour grading, and use of music.
I love the scenes that bounce seamlessly between the two locations using audio transitions from similar conversations taking place between certain characters.
It does a solid job of generating intrigue and suspense in the plot with a new threat shown via the experiences of certain new characters. This involves some very effective horror sequences that combine imagery and sound to frightening effect. All of it is done in a very retro way of course.
As ever the nostalgia is done brilliantly and rather than being for the sake of it serves the plot and tone of the episode very well. All the songs, cultural references and movie homages are perfect. The intercut basketball/Dungeons and Dragons sequence is particularly entertaining and impossible not to enjoy, especially if you are an 80s child like me.
All performances are excellent.
For me it's an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
Did you know
- TriviaThe song "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush received a resurgence in popularity following its use in this episode and later ones in this season, reaching #1 on iTunes in the U.S. on May 29, 2022, two days after the season premiered on Netflix.
- GoofsThe 3-point line wasn't introduced in high school basketball until 1987.
- Quotes
Lucas Sinclair: If I get in good with these guys, I'll be in the popular crowd, and then you guys will be too.
Mike Wheeler: Has it ever occurred to you that we don't want to be popular?
Lucas Sinclair: So you wanna be stuck with the nerds and freaks for three more years?
Dustin Henderson: We ARE nerds and freaks!
- Crazy creditsThe Netflix logo has the Upside Down dimension's red stormclouds in the background.
- SoundtracksCalifornia Dreamin'
(uncredited)
Written by Michelle Phillips and John Phillips
Performed by The Beach Boys
Details
- Runtime1 hour 18 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1