Why Is Stranger Things So Huge?
Strange as it may sound, there are many reasons why Stranger Things should not have been the smash success it has been in its first two seasons. There are plenty reasons why it has been, of course, and I will examine a few of those. But still, when you consider the sort of television that receive massive, loyal fanbases, you think probably of comedies foremost, whether the talk-show variety, or the family-based sitcoms like Modern Family. Perhaps a heartfelt, emotional drama like This Is Us, or even a startlingly relevant political piece like House Of Cards or Veep. A Sci-Fi thriller, set in 1980s Indiana, centering around nerdy pre-teens and on an online platform (as opposed to network television) wouldn’t be a natural recipe for success, on the other hand.
Yet, success is just barely touching on what the first season of Stranger Things achieved. Whether its exposure came more from social media advertising or word-of-mouth, the pilot season was Netflix’s most-watched premiere of a fully original series [it was the 3rd-most watched season overall, behind only Season 1 of Fuller House (the Full House reboot) and Season 4 of Orange Is The New Black]. Season 1 raked in an estimated 14 million viewers, and wowed critics as well, averaging an 8/10 on Rotten Tomatoes, and an average critical review of 76/100 on Metacritic.
That momentum, unsurprisingly, carried on to Season 2: outside of Presidential Election frenzy, or maybe the occasional sporting event— last year’s Super Bowl and World Series come to mind— I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one event or phenomenon dominate my social media feeds as the recent release of Stranger Things 2 did. The Netflix Sci-Fi/Thriller’s sophomore season had long been announced (via a TV spot during the aforementioned Super Bowl, actually), but with it finally arriving in bulk one week ago, my peers and entertainment outlets alike could not stop talking about it. At one point, I counted 12 consecutive Facebook posts, videos and/or links to articles on my News Feed that pertained to Stranger Things 2. Of course, it helped that a high-school friend went viral thanks to his spot-on portrayal of one of the show’s protagonists. Although, in all seriousness, that Mitchell’s photoshoot went viral speaks to the ubiquity and relevance of the show.
So, what accounts for the Stranger Things mania? In my not-so-expert opinion, there are several different factors that help play a part (I’m sure this isn’t an exhaustive list, either).
Netflix’s Binge Format
Probably the most significant difference between content on online platforms and programs on television networks is the ability to watch an entire season’s worth of episodes at your own pace. Much like the ability to include stories with adult content and heavier language was a gamechanger for cable channels over mainstream channels, this aspect has been a gamechanger for the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu over all television. At first blush, it may seem like a disadvantage- after all, doesn’t the week-by-week airing lead to more intrigue, hype and eyeballs?
That knife cuts both ways, though; just as it can build anticipation, the once-a-week slow build can cause viewers to lose interest, as can having the viewing experience constantly interspersed with commercials. If a viewer endures 2 or 3 consecutive episodes they feel unfavorably towards, they may not feel up for carving out a half-hour or hour for that show’s time slot next week.
Netflix, however, releases its original content all at once, meaning the viewer could feasibly plop down on their couch the minute the season is released and watch, say, 9 episodes right away (without the inconvenience of commercial breaks). For most shows, this more than compensates for the loss of building week-by-week intrigue and attention because of how easy it is for the viewer to get involved. If they become a fan, and are dedicated to watching it to the end (and maybe even spreading the word a little), that’s terrific. However, even if they’re not a fan, because of how easy it is to continue watching the episodes, many will likely adopt an attitude of ‘eh, I’ve come this far.’ I can confidently (ashamedly?) say that that has been my attitude towards more than one Netflix show. Hence, the term ‘binge-watch.’ Its accessibility makes it addicting. In the case of Stranger Things, that addictive instinct couples perfectly with the genre. It has aspects of horror that provide a cathartic spook every now and then, but mostly the show is a well-made thriller, and like all-made thrillers, ends many an episode on a suspenseful note. Unlike most television thrillers, its viewers have the ability to watch the next episode right away, uninterrupted, which means that even if it’s 2 AM on a Tuesday night (NOT THAT I WOULD KNOW HAHAHA HI MOM I’M RESPONSIBLE), they will sit through another episode.
80s Nostalgia
I referenced the show’s setting earlier, when speaking on unexpectedly successful qualities. Perhaps it makes sense though, that 1980s Indiana would be such a hit with viewers. For whatever reason, few decades elicit more American nostalgia than that decade. I don’t know whether to attribute this to the popularity (and ‘America First’-ness) of the Reagan presidency, or the relative civility during that time, or something else.
But, in my highly unscientific opinion, I’m not sure any other decade has had such a persistent influence on pop culture. I swear I hear more music of the 80s on the radio than I do music from any other time, save for present-day. Many fashion trends from that time have either remained or reappeared in contemporary fashion. The high-school teen stories, a theme Stranger Things plays on often, is one of the more familiar tropes in cinema and television now, and it was rampant in the 80s. Think Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller, Sixteen Candles, The Goonies…the list goes on. Even my generation, the generation that likely comprises the vast majority of Stranger Things’ audience, seems to be perpetually fascinated by the 80s.
It’s no secret that these social and political times are turbulent and divisive, to say the least. As a result, many Americans love a healthy dose of good ol’ American nostalgia. (And yes, I’m aware of all the connotations that come with that.) What’s more nostalgic than 1980s, small-town Indiana? And, for those same people, what’s more delightful than nods to the music and film of that time? I, for one, won’t complain about a soundtrack fronted by The Clash or The Police!
Kids As Protagonists
There’s just something inherently likable about young’uns. Ok, not everyone feels that way, obviously, but many do. Children are cute and innocent. Preteens, while less cute and often annoying, are still delightful because of how relatable they are: we recognize their experiences and comings-of-age as similar to those of our own lives. The same could be said for the slightly older high-school characters.
The point is, it’s easy for the viewer to cheer for the central core of characters. When the preteen protagonists in question are good-hearted dorks, it makes them that much more innocent and likable.
Cinema and television both, increasingly, seem to feature adult protagonists that are morally complex at best, downright dark at worst. Certainly, that has contributed in part to a ‘golden era’ of television as well as some of the best films of the last several years; yet, it also has likely lent itself to a fatigue of these grayed lines. There’s something to be said for the stark contrast of good and bad in Stranger Things; watching brave, capable youths fight a good fight provides a nice respite from the House of Cards or The Americans of the TV world.
That’s not to say that any of Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Eleven or Max (nor Nancy, Steve, or Jonathan, for that matter) are simple characters. They all are dynamic, interesting, well-written and exceedingly well-acted. But there can be no question the vulnerability and integrity of the young characters helps drive this show’s appeal.
It’s, You Know, A Really Good Show
I realize it’s possible that the features I’ve discussed to this point may paint Stranger Things as a harmless, fun show featuring children. If that’s been your takeaway so far, I apologize, because that’s not giving the show nor its viewers enough credit. All in all, Stranger Things likely wouldn’t be so wildly successful if it were not also quite a good program. I mentioned the critical reviews of Season 1; Season 2 has actually been even better reviewed on average by critics, garnering a Meteoritic average of 79/100 (garnered from about 35 more reviews, no less). This is somewhat surprising, given that Season 2 met more mixed reviews from non-critical audiences, but it speaks to the show’s staying power.
What’s more, last season’s awards recognition was extensive. Stranger Things was nominated for, among other categories, Best Drama at the Golden Globes and Emmys, and won the equivalent of that prize at the SAG Awards. It won 5 Emmys in all last month, and the cast, particularly Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown, were regulars on the awards circuit. Given the aforementioned critical response to Stranger Things 2, there’s no reason to think the case next year will be any different.
So, if you’re on the outside of the pandemonium looking in and wondering what the fuss it about: it’s true that much of it can be attributed to being ‘bingeworthy’, or nostalgic, or charming in an original manner. But it is equally true that it’s a fascinating Sci-Fi storyline, with some splendid acting jobs, expertly written and directed.