Stop scrolling, because Hawkins just got weirder, and honestly, your nostalgia deserves better than this. Stranger Things Tales from 85 is back with season 2.
Synopsis
Before the Upside Down ever tore open its terrifying portals, these Hawkins kids were already wrestling with Ouija boards and local hauntings. This season leans hard into a mystery-of-the-week format, diving deep into local history and uncovering how the town actually got its name. It all feels suspiciously like a supernatural Scooby-Doo episode, complete with grappling hooks, motorbikes, and kids surviving massive explosions. They take brutal beatings, get thrown into walls at insane speeds, dust themselves off, and simply carry on.
Cast and Performances
The voice cast throws everything they have at the Stranger Things material, selling the chaos even when the script wobbles. You genuinely root for these youngsters as they face off against serious threats and real-life ghosts. They inject raw energy into every frantic escape, keeping your eyes glued to the screen despite some questionable narrative choices.
Production and Style
Visually, the animation shines brilliantly, easily ranking among the cleanest and most striking styles out there today. Every frame pops with vibrant detail, perfectly matching the retro aesthetic while cranking up the action sequences. Meanwhile, the thumping soundtrack keeps your pulse racing, amplifying every explosion and supernatural encounter with effortless style.
Review
Let us address the giant Demogorgon in the room. Stranger Things Tales from 85 sits squarely in the middle, neither terrible nor truly great; instead, it boldly attempts to expand the universe yet unfortunately devalues it massively. We spent nine whole years watching the original Hawkins kids grow in courage, confidence, and bravery. Consequently, if this new batch is anything to go by, that legendary Upside Down journey should have been absolute light work.
Sure, the Scooby-Doo vibe makes the mystery-solving fun on the surface, but it fundamentally clashes with established canon. The animation is top tier, yet the script continually holds the entire project back. Furthermore, this storyline completely fails to connect or fit in with the main saga.
Creators should have named it something else, used different kids, or even shifted the action to a completely different town. Any single one of those tweaks would have guaranteed success. Because we know the original characters so intimately, this disjointed outing simply tarnishes a proud legacy. Ultimately, if you can completely separate these characters from their original counterparts, you will likely enjoy the ride. However, I remain far too connected to the source material to accept it.
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