By Owen Paiva – Entertainment Editor

Very few television shows have become phenomenons. For every good show, there seems to be five bad ones. Then a very special one came around.

Described as a Stephen King book directed by Steven Spielberg, and the ultimate tribute to the eighties, the Duffer Brothers directed a masterpiece when they created “Stranger Things.” Winona Ryder delivers one of the best performances of her career, newcomers such as Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard and Caleb McLaughlin give performances better than any child actors, and David Harbour and Gaten Matarazzo steal the show.

“Stranger Things” is one of the best-cast shows that viewers have ever seen, and the mystery is very effective and engaging. This show is a joy to binge. Netflix has really produced a gem with “Stranger Things”.

Will Byers (Schnapp) goes missing in the town of Hawkins, Illinois, and his friends Dustin (Matarazzo), Lucas (McLaughlin), and Mike (Wolfhard) search to find him. Joyce (Ryder), Will’s mother, goes hysterical since her son has gone missing. She turns to Chief Hopper (Harbour) to help find him. This while a mysterious girl (Brown) shows up at a local restaurant, and a shady government agency works in the shadows. Will’s disappearance uncovers an even greater mystery which threatens the town of Hawkins, and only the few who uncover the truth can find Will and stop the mystery.

The show has been very popular, with the accurate portrayal of ’80s life, and a mystery which is slowly unraveled. Season 1 is an eight-episode affair, and does an amazing job developing almost every character. Proper development is given to the trio of friends trying to save Will, Will’s mother and brother, Chief Hopper, Mike’s sister and her crush, as well as the mysterious girl. The show really has great pacing, with almost every episode hooking the viewer, and the danger feels real.

Viewers really connect to the main characters, especially since they are given enough screen time to grow.  A part of the show many viewers thought highly of were the child actors, since that was a reason this show took so long to be picked up. Executives did not want child leads in a show not meant for kids, however Netflix gave the Duffer Brothers a chance, and a chance that was hit right out of the park. These performances are really professional, especially Brown’s as she does not have a lot of lines, but makes up for it through her facial expressions and body languages. The last two episodes were some of the best in any show for such a long time. It really feels like a race against the clock, and when viewers reach that point, they will understand.

The show does not have too many weaknesses, but it is not without issue. The first viewing of the first episode can drag a little. Most viewers were not truly hooked until the second episode, but the first episode introduced the world. Another area of issue was handling the character of Nancy’s best friend Barb. Some fans were a little disappointed with her arc, and some continuity errors, but it does not hurt the show in the long run.

It is really hard to keep things vague in this review, but the story is better experienced fresh. Certain viewers complained about having some parts spoiled, and that it took away from the show. Anyone who enjoys Stephen King books, movies based on King books (especially “Stand by Me”, based on his book, “The Body”), or Steven Spielberg movies like “E.T.”, needs need to watch this show. Spielberg is one of this generation’s best directors, and he captures the magic and spirit of his movies in this love letter to ’80s sci-fi movies.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars