Monsters, experiments, talking Christmas lights, and one very uncommon speech impediment; how does Stranger Things pull this off and become one of the best shows of 2016? It pulls it off by being a fresh new spin on an old concept that is just as likely to make you scream and cry as it is to remind everyone of the glorious 80’s.

The show centers around the disappearance of the nerdy Will Byers and the numerous mysteries that get uncovered in the wake of the tragedy. The protagonists are his friends, who are very obviously getting in over their heads with their curiosity with the girl they found while looking for Will in the woods, who knows something Will’s disappearance; and why they shouldn’t keep looking if they want to get out with their lives. The show also focuses on Sheriff Hopper and Joyce Byers, who are looking for him as his fate grows dimmer by the second.

Without a doubt the greatest aspects of the show are the jaw-dropping cinematography and the creepy, despair-fueled atmosphere. The feeling of the year 1983 is hard to display, but the crew had the idea of putting multiple layers of specialized film in order to give the distinct, vintage tone of 80’s cinema. The visuals also help to boost the tension and atmosphere alongside the bleak, depressing score. There are definitely moments that would be remembered and invade our thoughts, but the perfectly crafted sounds and sights help to elevate an already well-written show to new heights of mystery.

Even though the joy and nostalgia of the decade are present, the aforementioned atmosphere rejects most of the victories of the protagonists with multiple new problems; with each worse than the last. While the scary moments are definitley memorable, the most invasive scenes are those that show the emotion of horror. Since horror is rooted in our empathy for others, people will identify with protagonists who they feel bad for; which so happens to be the case with the extremley likable misfits this show calls heroes. The epitome of this is Joyce, Will’s mother, as she grows deeper into the denial that he’s alive. As these feelings sink in, the denial turns to suspicion, and the suspicion turns into a world of trouble none of them were ready for.

With monsters, MK Ultra experiments, and possible alternate dimensions, the show has a lot to cover and with only 8 episodes, that should mean rushing and mistakes, but never did I truly feel that the show misstepped. There were a few blimps, to be honest. The colossal amount of references try to take away from the atmosphere at times, but the atmosphere is so heavy and monstrous that it is borderline impossible.

With that said, the show is otherwise perfect. With only one minor scratch on a perfect, glistening lens, the show is worth all time spent into it and then some. I can only hope they bring the same heart and horror to season 2 next year. So, besides the one trip-up, Stranger Things flies high and is very recommended.