Review Rundown

The latest installment of the Netflix smash hit has finally arrived, further asserting directors/writers Scott and Ross Duffer as some of the most masterful storytellers working today. Stranger Things 3's remarkable success mostly stems from building on established lore as well as successfully introducing new faces into the rich world of 1980s Hawkins Indiana. Its distinct, colorful look fully immerses the viewer into this small midwestern town with breathtaking visuals utilizing a large dose of practical effects with some computer-generated imagery. Millie Bobby Brown once again shines giving another brilliant performance as Eleven. The rest of the returning cast deliver masterful performances as well, further building on their respective characters and their evolving relationships. However, Stranger Things 3's lasting impact is emphasized in an emotionally resounding finale packed with heart, gritty action, unexpected twists and turns, all culminating into perhaps, one of the all-time best hours of television.

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Full review:

Three years and two successful seasons after the pop culture phenomenon initially hit households around the world, Stranger Things seeks to once again serenade audiences with its unique 80s charm and iconic characters. This time around, our protagonists face their greatest challenge as they try and partake in traditional summer festivities. While viewers could be turned off to the seemingly formulaic approach to each season, Matt and Ross Duffer once again prove their "formula" not only works but feels fresh, new and epic on every installment. Stranger Things 3 not only succeeds as a standalone season of great television but at its core it serves as a necessary evolution to what its audience is already familiar with.

Creators Matt and Ross Duffer accomplish this by mixing in new elements while expanding on established lore without losing its familiar feel. Characters Billy and Max, whose impact in Stranger Things 2 felt minimal are majorly developed with Sadie Sink and especially Dacre Montgomery giving excellent performances. Sadie Sink's Max is allowed to do much more along with Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) who also becomes a season favorite with a delightful romantic dynamic between the two. Maya Hawke, newcomer into the series, brings an interesting new dynamic working off Joe Keery's character Steve with Priah Ferguson (playing Erica Sinclair), adding some levity that at times felt over the top but mostly succeeded. New additions to this season also include the Starcourt Mall which reaks personality with its colorful and detailed design adding to the show's vibrant aesthetic. Stranger Things 3's vibrant look cannot go understated, shots are beautifully composed with colors popping off the screen left and right not only giving it a distinct look but making it a treat to watch.

However, the show's bread and butter still lies beyond its visual appeal, mainly leaning on its extremely likable characters and charismatic cast. Millie Bobby Brown is better than ever as Eleven delivering another brilliant performance as the super-powered youngster struggles to find herself while balancing a romantic as well as father-daughter relationship. Eleven's fish out of water dynamic while lessened is still present and accounts for several strong comedic moments that don't feel overplayed or stale. Played by David Harbour, Jim Hopper and his struggles in fatherhood develop into a focal point in Stranger Things 3 quickly becoming one of the most enjoyable aspects of the season both in its comedic and dramatic aspects. His and Winona Ryder's chemistry (playing Joyce Byers) is still one of the highlights as Joyce struggles to move on from her past tragic relationship.

Furthermore, the rest of our favorite geeky friends' struggles are not lost in the shuffle and still have satisfying payoffs. Dustin's (played by Gaten Matarazzo) relationship with Steve is further explored as he struggles to fit back in after being out of town for a month. Similar to Dustin, Will (played by Noah Schnapp) finds rejoining the group tougher than he expected becoming more and more nostalgic for "the good old days." Mike's (played by Finn Wolfhard) relationship with Eleven takes a step forward from previous seasons until his and Hopper's overprotective nature starts to negatively affect the relationship. Meanwhile, Jonathan and Nancy continue their journey into adulthood both now working in the Hawkins Post quickly realizing the hardships of the real world.

This is where the heart of Stranger Things lies, its realistic and relatable portrayal of its main characters and their relationships set to a whimsy fantastical backdrop. Nowhere is this better exemplified than how it handles the younger kids in the show. Unlike most shows, the audience's investment in the kids does not rely on the cuteness factor. Stranger Things 3's fantastic writing makes watching these kids interact, grow, and evolve just as engaging as the more scary and dramatic elements of the show. However, even with how grounded our main character are in certain ways, Stranger Things 3 does require some suspension of disbelief for the more fantastical elements that are developed throughout the season and how they are dealt with. Subplots involving evil Russians also border on a sort of 80s cheesiness that while gives the show its identity, could fail to connect with audiences.

Nevertheless, Stranger Things 3 delivers on these same scary and dramatic elements the audience has come to expect with some of the most terrifying as well as goriest sequences in the whole series. In both the dramatic and more subtle sequences, the action is accompanied by what can only be described as an additional presence on screen. Kyle Dixon along with Michael Stein once again provide an essential aspect to the season with a powerful, very distinct score that never overshadows the action but instead takes it to new heights.

Stranger Things 3's slow build-up allows the audience to catch up with our main characters while at the same time slowly but seamlessly transitioning giving little hints of the bigger picture and what's to come. The slow build up comes to a sort of payoff in episode 4 were most of the action kicks off with a jaw dropping finale foreshadowing what is yet to come. However, Stranger Things 3's lasting impact lies in its ability to finish strong in a gripping finale. Filled with laughs, drama, gruesome action, suspense, and most of all: heartfelt emotion, Episode eight of Stranger Things 3 proves to be one of the most compelling and powerful hours of television released in the last few years. Stranger Things once again shows the power of brilliant storytelling. Its incredible writing heightens the audience's investment beyond superficial and abstract elements and into just a deep love for the world Scott and Ross Duffer have created. Fantastic performances, gorgeous visuals and marvellous writing all-around, push the emotion beyond the screen as the twin filmmakers from North Carolina remind the world that Stranger Things is still here, and it's here to stay.