Stranger Things premiered July 2016, but it wasn’t until October 2017 that I caved in and binged the first two seasons. It’s a fucking masterpiece.
I learned about pastiche in a performance art class (thank you, Dustin Goltz) and Stranger Things were used as an example. Paying homage to the charm of 80s slashers, the show closely resembles that of the 1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street. As a hardcore 80s and slasher fan, it’s safe to say that Stranger Things tops my television list. Not just my own – according to IMDB, it’s ranked #2 on the most watched tv shows of all time. Yeah.
Season 4 essentially guaranteed that, but why? Was it the three-year pause as a result of COVID? Did it create an audience exasperated to tune in? Maybe it was the writers’ room’s ability to further perfect their story with the almost excessive amount of time between seasons. Or the cast’s undying chemistry.
Aside from the writing being some of the best I’ve seen for a show (I state as a humble young screenwriter), I’ve never seen such perfect casting. There. I said it. I quite literally cannot picture anyone else as Dustin – Gaten Matarazzo, you will always be famous. DePaul alumni Joe Keery as Steve Harrington is not only a blessing to the Hawkins universe, but to fan girls all around. Myself included.
However, this article in particular is about the women of Stranger Things. I mean: WOW. I’d give a spoiler alert, but if you haven’t watched already, this one’s kind of on you. That scene with Sadie Sink – you know exactly which one I’m referencing – is one of the best in the entire series. Sink’s character, Max, has always been a favorite, but after “Dear Billy”, I think she’s won over the hearts of a lot of Hawkins fans.
courtesy of netflix: stranger things, season 4
Her performance comes as no surprise, as the actress has been performing since the age of seven. Sink made her broadway debut in fifth grade, and has since gone on to star and co-star in a number of films and tv shows. At the age of 20, she’s already set in stone an impressive career that’s just begun.
Her co-star and lead of the show, Millie Bobby Brown, has just as an impressive track record. Nominated and victor of various awards, including SAGA and Emmys, the starlet has an auspicious future ahead of her. One of her best scenes as El is the pool fight scene in season 3, when Millie collapses into her costar Finn Wolfhard’s arms. The action wasn’t scripted and was the result of exhaustion after hours of shooting. Whew.
I also think it’s noteworthy to mention that Millie’s parents believed in her talent from an early age. They relocated to Los Angeles to support her career, alongside her manager, who also pitched in his efforts. Talk about promising.
Moving along, co-star Natalia Dyer was attending NYU when she was cast in the Netflix hit, resulting in her putting a pause on her studies. Since, she’s starred in various films, including Yes, God, Yes and Velvet Buzzsaw. Her on-screen chemistry with costar Charlie Heaton led to their adorable relationship stan twitter just can’t get enough of.
Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, is diagnosed with dyslexia. Her approach to the arts and creativity led to her love for acting, for which she attended Juilliard before dropping out to pursue her role in Little Women. Outside of acting, she’s followed in her mother’s footsteps and modeled, as well as pursued music.
Finally, our beloved Winona Ryder, who gained success at a young age for her roles in Beetlejuice, Heathers and Edward Scissorhands. Her acting career has spanned from 1986 to present – a spectacular achievement for the doe-eyed star.
Individually, each woman presents her own merits; as a team, they’re unstoppable. Sure, Joseph Quinn’s character, Eddie, has garnered the attention of fans, but the gals of Hawkins remain top tier. How could they not? Each character is so multi-faceted and well-written, it’s difficult to find faults.
El has remained a powerhouse through the entirety of the series, and even after her relocation to California, and subsequent loss of her telekinetic powers, there’s absolutely no deprivation of passion and emotion. Hint, hint: that roller skate scene. It’s no surprise she’s physically stronger than her male counterparts, but we forget that within her ability to withstand and channel her emotions into power is a deeper meaning. Hear me out: the writers of Stranger Things have taken the tired ‘women are so emotional’ cliché and flipped the script.
El’s – Millie’s – ability to tap into her emotions and reflect them so potently on screen adds to the magic of the world of Hawkins. We saw that this season with the mic passed to Sadie’s character, Max. Aside from the gorgeously written cemetery scene, Max’s character is so complex and layered, it’s difficult not to relate. There’s plenty of think pieces on Max’s representation of depression and PTSD, all of which are right on the money.
Part of the powerful scene, and throughout the series, is also the emphasis on girlhood. Seldom do we, or I, see many examples of this. Max’s flashbacks to her happiest moments spent with El are a call to the nostalgia of sisterhood. Sure, Dustin, Lucas, Mike and Will belong to The Party, but the dynamic between Max and El is special enough to have its own moment. Just as Robin and Nancy’s friendship develops in the same girlhood-esque fashion.
If that’s not enough, take Hawke’s character, Robin, speaking from the heart during her monologue at the Pennhurst Asylum. It’s short, sweet, and powerful enough to not only get access to Victor Creel, but also to reaffirm the message: women in academia deserve the same privileges as their male counterparts. Dyer’s character, Nancy, is a prime example. Together, the duo not only rescue Max from her demise, but make one hell of a team.
As a whole, the spectacle of this season isn’t just the darker, more macabre take on sci-fi, it’s the development of the relationships that make it so admired. IMO, it’s the focus on the female relationships and character development that keep me hooked. I’m excited for volume two, and season 5! Although our journey with Hawkins slowly comes to a close, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Duffer Brothers have big plans for the finale. I hope know we will continue to see amazing character development and really hope to see a lot more of #lumax.