Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Review – A Nostalgic Return to Hawkins' Simpler Times
The animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales from '85 takes viewers on a delightful journey back to the heart of the original Netflix series' charm. Set in January 1985, between seasons two and three, this show rewinds to a happier, more straightforward period in Hawkins, Indiana, before the complexities of later seasons took hold.
Embracing 1980s Comfort and Nostalgia
Like its predecessor, Tales from '85 immerses audiences in a fantasy past where kids ride bikes, chew gum, listen to cassettes, and play Dungeons and Dragons. It evokes an era before the internet, 9/11, the banking crash, the pandemic, and Trump, when life seemed easier and more innocent. The series captures this vibe perfectly, serving as a comforting escape to a time of walkie-talkies, teen romance, and hideous monsters.
Using modern CGI rather than overly retro animation, the show maintains a visually appealing style while the content remains pure 1980s comfort food. Scenes of Dustin achieving high scores on Space Invaders, friends communicating via walkie-talkies, and icy winter streets set to We Got the Beat by the Go-Gos create a warm, familiar atmosphere. The departure of beloved science teacher Mr. Clarke and the introduction of substitute Mrs. Baxter, played by Janeane Garofalo, add to the nostalgic feel, with Slim Jims and air hockey pucks completing the picture.
The Gang's All Here: Characters and Dynamics
The core group of Hawkins heroes is reunited, including Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Max, and Eleven, voiced by actors such as Luca Diaz, Braxton Quinney, and Brooklyn Davey Norstedt. Eleven, now under the care of heroic cop Jim Hopper, keeps her telekinetic powers a secret, while Steve's bromance with Dustin is reset to its early stages. Newcomer Nikki, a "freak" with a mohawk and flying jacket, seamlessly joins the plucky outcasts, enhancing the group's dynamic.
Within half an episode, glowing tentacles emerge from snowdrifts, prompting the kids to grab implements and hatch plans. The threats stay local and small-scale, with classic techniques like luring creatures to car parks or using shovels to distract them. Eleven's mind-control abilities save the day repeatedly, though this formula is used a bit too often early on, leading to repetitive scenes where a weakened Eleven is supported by a worried Mike.
Plot and Pacing: Going Nowhere Can Be a Good Thing
The scripts, while not as funny as the original series, avoid getting bogged down in expansive geopolitics. Instead, the intrigue deepens with underground lairs and conspiracy theories about malevolent adults with bad schemes. The peril intensifies over time, but the show's lack of major progression is part of its appeal, cleansing the memory of Stranger Things' later, more convoluted seasons.
Future seasons could benefit from a touch more invention, but not too much—being stuck in 1985 Hawkins indefinitely feels like a welcome escape. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is now streaming on Netflix, offering a nostalgic return to the innocent paradise that made the series so lovable.
