Stranger Things Season 3 - A Netflix Series Review

I have an idea. We should go to the mall! Just as long as no monsters cause a ruckus.

Season 3 of Stranger Things picks up in the summer of 1985. In the midst of grappling with friendships and relationships, the gang finds themselves in a new precarious situation. The Russians attempt to open the upside-down world releasing all the evils. It’s up to Mike and his friends to save Hawkins from danger.

I remember the instant season 3 of Stranger Things was released to Netflix, I binge-watched it all in three days! Season 3 is the most emotional out of the entire series. While some of the concepts were out of left field, Stranger Things is a significant series about growing up and friendship.

The talents of the young actors have evolved over the course of the series. Dealing with dramas in their friendship, the team of young actors did outstanding work with their interactions. Their banter is the funniest parts of episodes. Friendship is never perfect. However, friendship is one of the greatest gifts.

I am most impressed by Millie Bobby Brown. She is the standout of the cast. Eleven has grown, adapting to the world, and making new friendships. Mike (Wolfhard) and Eleven’s relationship is an incredible bond that has held the story together. Her friendship with Max (Sink) is an endearing part of the series. Watching them run around the mall and spy on the boys are fun moments.

Nancy (Dyer) and Jonathan’s (Heaton) arc delves into a great message about the work environment. Never let anyone walk all over you just because you are new to the atmosphere. As I have mentioned before, I am so proud of the growth of these characters. Stranger Things is all about the characters.

Speaking of stifling relationships, Joyce (Ryder) and Hopper (Harbour) spend most of their screen-time arguing trying to figure out why Joyce’s magnets are not sticking. To help them answer questions Brett Gelman (Murray) and Alec Utgoff (Alexei) make the best comedic tag team. Gelman deserves an Emmy for the hilarious monologue he delivers to a bickering Joyce and Hopper on the road.

Newcomers Maya Hawk and Priah Ferguson are excellent. Ferguson especially incorporated the best one-liners. I could not stop laughing. Robin (Hawk) and Steve (Keery) don a meaningful message about friendship, sarcasm, and accepting yourself.

I found the subplot with the ‘evil Russians’ to be a little farfetched, but it still made for a number of suspenseful scenes. One storyline that was compelling was the dark world controlling Billy (Montogomery). Not only that but Dacre’s acting abilities were explored more bringing a hidden depth of his characters, a backstory, and more on his relationship with Max.

Be warned that this is the darkest season of all. My heart was pounding amidst the finale. There is so much going on, and a lot of stress. The finale episode is very emotional. Every actor went to extreme levels to produce emotional reactions.

As for the special effects of the series, all I can say is ‘wow!’ The creators went above and beyond to deliver an ending that made me stop blinking. Crew members built that entire mall set. The designs of the monsters are so engrossing, especially when one is giving chase to our heroes in a later episode.

The Duffer Brothers know how to mix comedy and drama into a perfect blend. For those who have not watched the series, I recommended that you do so immediately. I could binge-watch Stranger Things over and over. I am curious to see what season 4 will bring to the table, especially after where the series ended.