To whom it may concern

#Summerof84 A nostalgic thriller & not the movie I expected! The opening scene echoes #eerieindiana...I’M IN!
I ❤️ 80s movies & it’s more Stand by Me than Goonies, quite light hearted with a darkness running thru the core.
🔪 🔪 🔪 🔪#moviereview #movie #film #Cardiff #shudder pic.twitter.com/YDhZC0jyZG

— Kino Kingdom (@KingdomKino) June 11, 2020

The new Netflix show Stranger Things is going to remind you of a plethora of supernatural films from the 1980s — and the series is perfectly fine with that. Starring Winona Ryder as Joyce, Stranger Things takes place in the town of Hawkins, Indiana (a fictional city) in 1983. The setting is an important part of the story as Joyce's son Will goes missing after coming across a mysterious beast outside of the Hawkins National Laboratory, but also because half of the fun of Stranger Things is it's throwback style, paying homage to the masters like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King.

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Indiana is apparently all about the paranormal if you consider Stranger Things, Close Encounters, and the almost forgotten, but totally excellent '90s kids TV show Eerie, Indiana. The small town of Eerie isn't actually real, just like Hawkins, and it hosts plenty of urban legends and abnormal stuff. (Bonus trivia: Eerie, Indiana starred Omri Katz from Hocus Pocus !)

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Anyone an Eerie, Indiana fan? It's more of a children's show, but it seems to be groundbreaking for it's time, introducing storytelling & worldbuilding to younger kids. I see a pitch of that show in this, but only with the subtleties of the strange within a seemingly normal town.

stevp19Bitchin: Yes, I watched it when it first aired, either during or just before the golden age of the Fox Kids afterschool shows(Goosebumps, New Addams Family, Beetleborgs, etc). In the only episode I can remember, the strangeness was used to satirize pop culture and suburban life. So it was like a spooky kids version of Suburgatory. The satire sets it apart from Stranger Things, but the more I think about it, the more they do seem alike.

It was short-lived and somewhat obscure, so I'm surprised to see the show mentioned on this subreddit. I wonder if the other ten people who watched that show are also on here...

er1127: The best things are short...

MyNameIsNotRyn: I remember this show!

er1127: I'm 17, but I figured I watch it. I liked it, but of course it's done in a way to directly make each episode short and snappy for younger kids. Still compelling at any age tho. The main kid is easy to like, along with his friend.

JMAN0723: Watched it back in the day. Joe Dante. Also tim hunter who directed Rivers Edge directed several episodes

er1127: Yes, did you see Explorers with Phoenix, Hawke, & Jason Presson? Pretty good film, very similar in tone to ST. I read that they had to quickly get the film done, which is why the 3rd act dipped in quality. The premise is really good at heart.

JMAN0723: Saw it but wasnt a fan of it. Similar flaws i see in ST Season 2

er1127: I liked it, thought the last parts were a huge let down

er1127: U can argue that the troubled kid in Explorers has the same problem in character development as Max & Billy. They tease issues, but don't show you anything. Over time, they lose suspense, and valuable plot progression.

JMAN0723: My favorite 80s teen movies were Stand by me,rivers edge,and heathers. Much darker but more realistic

er1127: Stand By Me is my all-time favorite. The novella is really good too. I like Running on Empty (which Phoenix is in), a lot, It (2017), the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, Jaws, Super Dark Times, The Nice Guys, The Spectacular Now, Kids, and Superbad, to state a few.

er1127: The Spectacular Now looks cliche, but stirs from it... a sleeper.. future cult classic

@summerof84movie is a slow-burn film with twists and a lot of darkness. Think Eerie, Indiana crossed with Stand By Me and a touch of Stranger Things. Properly affected me but no surprise when it comes from the fab folk who made @turbokidfilm #Frightfest #minifilmreview

— Stacey #RehireJamesGunn (@FilmsWithStacey) August 23, 2018