After an almost three year break, fans of the popular Netflix original series “Stranger Things” eagerly awaited the show’s return with volume one of its fourth season, which premiered on May 27. Since its first season, the show has become an iconic part of pop culture with its portrayal of 1980’s suburban America threatened by a mysterious evil from
the Upside Down.
Although “Stranger Things” has settled into a familiar formula that is, at times, predictable by its fourth time
around, it adds plenty of twists and turns for a thrilling
first volume.
The show jumps from the events of the previous season in summer of 1985 to spring of 1986. Since
the last time viewers saw the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the cast of characters have been scattered
far and wide.
Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder, “Heathers”) has relocated with her family, including Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, “Enola Holmes”), to California after the events of the previous season. They attempt to rebuild a life, involving long-distance relationships and new friendships. Meanwhile, former chief of police Jim Hopper (David Harbour, “Black Widow”) is held captive in Russia
and fights to survive.
Back in Hawkins, the rest of the characters navigate high school and memories of the past. Threatening their attempt at normality is a new monster from the Upside Down, this time named “Vecna,” which has been preying upon the town’s youth through their minds.
Elements of horror movies of the time make an appearance throughout the season. Haunted houses, unsolved mysteries and the echo of a grandfather clock, paired with references to Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers, make this season terrifying, but all the more bingeable. The protagonists are growing up from the first season to
face even scarier threats.
In typical “Stranger Things” fashion, references to 80s pop culture remain a way to connect with the audience and re-popularize it among the younger viewers of
the show.
From its music to its movie references, seeing the characters enjoy familiar pastimes is a treat.
New additions to the show include Hawkins High’s leader of the Dungeons & Dragons Hellfire Club, Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn, “Dickensian”). Munson’s performance is excellent, adding comic relief as he reacts to being in the wrong place at the wrong time while
Vecna terrorizes the town.
Other standout performances include Sadie Sink (“Fear Street”), who returns as Max Mayfield, as she tries to come to terms with the events of the previous season. Harbour’s performance remains stellar, despite being isolated from the rest of the cast in Russia. It is easy to root for Hopper as he battles both the harsh climate and other, more sinister threats.
Unfortunately, the volume leans on overdone high school narratives that seem out of place to the show, filling the time that would be best spent in other places. Eleven is bullied at her new school by ruthlessly mean classmates, and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin, “Concrete Cowboy”), who now plays for the basketball team, feels pressured not to associate with his old
“nerdy” friends.
His teammates remain a nuisance throughout the season and have no character development beyond their letterman jackets and overly zealous readiness to hunt down the suspected killer.
With so many storylines competing for screen time, each episode becomes over an hour long.