Strange Things 3
Cast: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo
Director: The Duffer Brothers
There is no denying that in the span of just three years, 2 seasons old Strange things has carved a niche for its audience. The show, which appeared out of nowhere in 2016, rocked the world and became the most comforting binge watch of the summer.
the last season, Strange things season 3, currently streaming on Netflix, is in the same ballpark. The latest episode sets the tone of the third season from the first episode, Suzie, are you copying? Hawkins’ kids grow up fast. Now they are teenagers and have a new set of problems. They love relationships and they have parents who look up to those relationships. All the while, something creeps up on them.
The impending dangers and their worst nightmare, the Demogorgon, have been released once more. In addition to the Mind Flayer, the kids also have to fight the evil Grigori (Andrey Ivchenko). The kids find it hard to cope as the last united group is now divided into teams and everyone tries to solve the mystery with their own detective skills. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) are big boys with girlfriends, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) is back from a month-long vacation and teams up with Steve (Joe Keery) and Robin (Maya Hawke), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Max (Sadie Sink) are now best friends. While Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) are reporters for the Hawkins Post, Will (Noah Schnapp) feels out of place and Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour) struggle to keep their children safe. Also, Hawkins has a hot fresh face in Billy (Dacre Montgomery).
Relief! Too much is happening to too many people. But the creators have put all the stories together in such a cohesive way that none of it seems out of place or rushed. The show has upped their game on visual drama. For example, in one of the first episodes, you see rats running in a basement as if moving forward with beats from bagpipers and then they start to explode like strawberry popcorns.
While the first three episodes set the stage explaining what’s happening where and who’s doing what, the next two seem a bit long-winded and the last three pick up the pace with El once again showing off her Jean Gray avatar full throttle. With a little innocent humor, coupled with some nerdy moments, everyone can play their part.
Unlike the previous seasons, the Duffer Brothers have ensured that the new season is in balance in terms of humor and tension. The show succeeds in its quest by putting on a grim, scary and action-packed season that will keep you on your toes. Also, some extra attention has been paid to the cliffhangers. If you make it to the end of one episode, there’s hardly any chance you’ll skip the next. The background score adds icing on the cake.
Strange things season 3 has learned from the second season and is back with more chills and suspense.
Rating: 4/5
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