Movies

Stranger Things’s set to strike a balance of blissful fun and pure horror – here’s why

The Upside Down isn't ready to leave the people of Hawkins, Indiana alone. New terrors and dramas await the townspeople in the new season.
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When Stranger Things debuted on Netflix in 2016, few predicted how hugely popular it would become – but the Duffer Brothers’ tale of ’80s kids battling supernatural forces, inspired by all things Amblin and Stephen King, proved an irresistible treat.

The year after, Stranger Things 2 was a Halloween treat, upping the scare factor and bringing romantic obstacles to the kids of Hawkins, Indiana – as well as more threats from the Upside Down, like demodogs and the Mind Flayer.

Season 3 of the series will be released on Netflix next month and fans are keen to binge the episodes when it does. Watch the trailer for season 3 above.

(Image: Netflix)

While the summer holiday setting brings the group out of school, their vacation is soon interrupted by the supernatural forces that continue to plague the town.

“The first season was more about the adventure aspect and kind of fun, the second season was more about the horror aspect,” says Finn Wolfhard, “season three is everything, like the fun of season one and the horror of season two and the Duffers have got better at it, at writing it. And we’ve become better actors.”

(Image: Netflix)

And it’s not just Max’s mean older brother Billy Hargrove bringing the terror (“He’s pure evil this season,” teases actor Dacre Montgomery) – there’s still something very much up with Will Byers.

“Will still has the presence of the monster left, and you kind of see what happens there,” explains Noah Schnapp. “People have asked, ‘Does Will get a break this season?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, sure, for the first two episodes. And then no one really gets a break.”

Watch Schnapp discuss Winona Ryder who plays his mother on the show. More after the video.

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There is also another new addition to the cast to enrich the town of Hawkins. New people in town always changes dynamics of existing relationships so it will be interesting to see where this season goes. Adventure and terror awaits the characters.

Stranger Things Season 3 premieres July 4, 2019, on Netflix.

Ben Travis

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