Why Stranger Things Leaning Away From Nostalgia Works to Its Benefit

Stranger Things has always worn its inspirations on its sleeve, as the Duffer Brothers’ clear love of Dungeons & Dragons, the works of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King, and, in general, all things 1980s, are integral to the fabric of their Netflix show. But over the course of four seasons, Stranger Things’ admiration for its pop culture influences has shifted greatly. In the beginning of the show’s run, Stranger Things’ references were almost too overt, as if the Duffers were copying aspects of entertainment they loved and pasting them into their own series. But as the show has progressed, these homages have become more tonal and less direct—a change that has been essential to Stranger Things’ growth, and allowed the series to become more than just an amalgamation of things the audience already loved.