In Stranger Things we follow a tight knit group of youngsters in the '80's who encounter things that are not of this world. Still having flexible minds, they are the only ones able to get to the bottom of the frightening mysteries, and they do so with flair plus a whole lot of funny bickering. I cannot begin to describe how well executed this series is. So, let's break it down storytelling-style. We'll skip the usual suspects like embracing friction and building a journey, and focus on the most original storytelling lessons we can see. So with that introduction done, what are the key insights we can learn from Stranger Things for our stories?
(Netflix their poster for Stranger Things Season 3)
How to depict a bygone era
First of all, Stranger Things is a brilliant depiction of the 80's period itself, catching the electricity that was in the air at that time with music, looks, color and genius set design. It also catches the film-vibe of the period, where emotions were captured sharply, crystal clear and often a little exaggerated. The effect is incredible: a series with all the boons of modern-day filming that catches the electric vibe of another era.
The key learning here is research: you have to be impeccable with your details. A brilliant example is one of the main characters called Billie, who has just enough of the things that a roguish guy would have in that period: a certain type of sunglasses, a small earring, a necklace that fits the era and of course a hairstyle that was 'in' at that time. The beauty is that nothing is overdone, yet everything is done exactly right.
The reason I feel this is so important is because these days we see mostly depictions of a bygone era produced, designed and filmed in a modern-day manner. That's perfectly fine of course, and can be incredibly powerful with a prime example being Bridgerton that puts decidedly modern looking faces in a historical setting. Yet, the power of Stranger Things his accurate period-depiction cannot be overstated, especially since it's the '80's man... the creative fire is everywhere because of it.
The right way to steal
The style is further best described as a mix of Spielberg, David Lynch, Ridley Scott and Stephen King at the height of their powers. From the typical Spielberg conversations where people yell things without listening, to vistas similar to Twin Peaks, music that could've come from Bladerunner and a monster plot that feels like Stephen King himself came up with it... everything is in there.
The learning is again research here, but a different kind: the makers have clearly looked and dissected what made those directors so good at their jobs, and picked the very best pieces from it, especially Spielberg's - and to a similar degree John McTiernan's (who we've discussed here) - trick of letting characters talk to each other without connecting or listening per sé. It gives the whole thing a feeling of reality: this is also the way we converse often in real life.
The Music
With its music, the show does something so truly incredibly original, I almost found myself jumping in front of my screen: it makes one '80's song central to the entire story line. Kate Bush her song Running up that hill is used as a plot device against evil that actually, mindblowingly, makes sense in the narrative. And it isn't lazy about it either, it remixes the song in ways that fit what we see on screen, and edits it into every nook and cranny it is supposed to go. For every storyteller it's worth seeing and hearing this in action, just as a lesson for us all that there are always new and original takes on storytelling possible.
And that's without discussing the soundtrack. The first few seconds of the series, an 80's style arpeggiator tune, are actually why I put it on. A friend of mine had just send me that, and without knowing or seeing anything else, I decided I needed to watch it. Now.
Character progression
Yet the best part of the series is the character progression. Rarely have I seen a series introduce so many characters so well, and give them such interesting growth. You'll learn to love those you've hated two episodes ago, and vice versa. The show actually has lots and lots of characters and each of them is important to the plot somehow. There are basically no 'side' characters: although screen time may vary, and the character of Eleven takes point in many situations, no one feels small in importance.
This has a consequence: because the characters are so rich, the writer's can continually put them in interesting situations with each other. This ultimately means the show is filled to the brim with unexpected plot twists, never skips a beat and had me on my toes the entire time. The result is a show that is much scarier than it ought to be: you are so invested in its characters that every bit of danger they get into will feel like a paper cut.
That's how it's done
From it's opening theme to its great acting, to its constant flow of quips, and undeniable tension with the highest stakes possible, Stranger Things is among the very top tear of shows. It easily walks alongside Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Shogun and well, Twin Peaks for that matter, with just a dash of E. T. splashed over it for good measure.
Although it may seem to be catered to a younger audience, it really isn't. It treats its youngsters as adults, something that was common in the '80's but seems lost too often in these times. It's all the better for it. So, don't deprive yourself of this one, the opening theme alone will make it worthwhile.
Go watch. Now.
Love, as always. And check out my book The Whole Story - The Ultimate Guide to Storytelling!
(This article is partly based on my own Stranger Things review on IMDB)
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