Why We're Obsessed With Netflix's Stranger Things

Netflix's newest series is officially our new obsession

By Lauren Piester Jul 27, 2016 7:20 PMTags
Stranger ThingsNetflix

Oh Netflix, you've done it again.

We're officially obsessed with Stranger Things, the newest show that the streaming service has blessed us with. It's honestly everything we never realized we needed very badly, and we literally can't stop talking about it. Ask anyone we've come in contact with in the past few days—we're insufferable.

There are more than enough reasons to binge every episode, and to then binge them again, and then to consume every article about the show, and then to probably watch it again, and we're going to lay a few of them out for you—spoiler free! You can thank us later.

Pop Culture References Are Everywhere...

E.T., Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Goonies, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Poltergeist, and even Pretty in Pink all make appearances in their own way, along with so many more of pop culture's biggest moments from the '70s and '80s. You can spend the entire series just searching for references, and you may never even find them all.

...But They Don't Take Over

The references are subtle, and never overshadow the story itself. So if you're not a kid of the '80s or '80s movies, you won't be left out, but you might be inspired to check out a whole new world of pop culture.

read
Stranger Things Star Winona Ryder Keeps Finding New Shows to Binge Watch...But They're Canceled
Netflix

Barb

The best friend, inadvertently cast aside in favor of a boy. Barb's (Shannon Purser) impact as an immediately iconic character is wildly disproportionate to her screentime, but she is forever our "mom jean" queen.

Steve

If you always loved the typical '80s high school jerk and just wished he were a little less of an actual jerk, Steve (Joe Keery) might just be the revelation you've been waiting for. Never has a love triangle left us so conflicted! (Just kidding: We're rooting for Steve. We really love Steve.)

The Kids

There's no cringing at child acting here! Every single actor is incredible, but the kids are particularly impressive. Millie Bobby Brown, who plays the quiet and mysterious Eleven, can basically convey a monologue with one look, and Broadway star Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin, totally charms as the ultimate best friend/compass expert you'd want by your side in any adventure.

Winona Ryder

She's back and better than ever as Joyce Byers, the harried mom of poor missing Will. From her Meryl Streep hair to her commitment to conversing with Christmas lights, we love everything about her.

read
Let Winona Ryder and Netflix's Stranger Things Take You Back in Time to the Creepy 1980s
Netflix

Oh, the Horror!

As happy as this show makes us, it's also freakin' creepy. Stranger Things explores a world unknown filled with monsters and mystical powers alongside that classic picture of a government conspiracy, complete with human experiments and guys in hazmat suits. It's just a terrifying joy.

The Music

From the theme song to the use of The Doors, the music is A+ nostalgia all the way through. Pair that with the old school font of the opening credits and we've established our new dream aesthetic.

It's Only 8 Episodes!

This is both a pro and a con, but the pro side of it is that the story is tight, and it won't take you all that long to catch up to the delight that the rest of the world has found in this bizarre little show.

Stranger Things is now streaming on Netflix.

Watch: Winona Ryder Works on First Series "Stranger Things"
photos
Renewed or Canceled? Find Out the Fate of All Your Favorite Shows 2015/2016

Latest News