Stranger Things Season 4, Part 1 review: The long-awaited return to Hawkins was worth the wait
- After three years, the acclaimed 80s throwback thriller has finally returned to Netflix, with so much new content the season has been split into two parts
- Brilliant CGI brings the terrifying villain Vecna to life, and new characters are seamlessly woven into the series
“Stranger Things” is back with a new season and Hawkins is in more danger than ever thanks to Vecna. Photo: YouTubeAfter a lengthy three-year hiatus, the critically acclaimed Stranger Things has finally returned to Netflix. The show wastes no time in getting started, with the events of season four starting six months after the finale of season three, and delivers an expertly-paced storyline, jumping with ease from the intertwining arcs.
In fact, season four is so chock full of new content to keep fans busy that for the first time, it had to be split into two parts, the first of which is comprised of seven episodes that run for about an hour to an hour-and-a-half each. As soon as you finish the first episode, it’s evident why show creators Matt and Ross Duffer made that decision.
The main story juggles Will and Eleven’s move to California, the rifts in Hawkins and more of the Upside-Down, in addition to plucky Hopper’s time at a Soviet labour camp, which was teased at the very end of the previous season. Thankfully, all parts of the story work together to drive the plot and characters forward.
In typical Stranger Things fashion, the show has once again managed to captivate the internet with its tasteful nods to retro pop culture; by the time you’re finished with the show, you’ll realise why the internet is abuzz about grandfather clocks and an 80s Kate Bush song.
And of course, season four has introduced a new terrifying main villain called Vecna, named after yet another Dungeons and Dragons villain, that is written with such finesse that it manages to outdo even the tentacled Mind Flayer and its demogorgon minions. It is sure to give our protagonists a tough time.
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While the entire cast does a brilliant job of portraying their characters, the Hawkins gang arguably steals the show in season four, with the iconic duo that is Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) and Steve “The Hair” Harrington (Joe Keery), leading the way. The season seamlessly weaves in new characters as well, like the metalhead Eddie Munson (Damien Echols), leader of a tabletop-role-playing society called the “Hellfire Club”, and Johnathan’s (Charlie Heaton) resident stoner friend Argyle (Eduardo Franco), who not only provides comic relief throughout the series, but often speeds in to get our heroes out of some tight scrapes in his iconic pizza delivery van.
The show’s returning characters have also changed a great deal from where we left off. Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven has mellowed down, whereas Max and Lucas seem to be struggling to find themselves, as Lucas seeks validation from the jocks at school and Max continues to withdraw.
Poor Will, on the other hand, seems almost sidelined, as he constantly struggles to vie for his childhood best friend Mike’s attention as the third wheel throughout the season, with constant references to a painting he’s been working on for him.
Meanwhile, Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Murray (Brett Gelman) are working to extricate Hopper from Kamchatka, as he befriends allies of his own and uncovers more of the prison’s mysteries, and Eleven battles demons from her past to regain her powers.
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Netflix obviously spared no expense in the CGI and animatronic work in the show, as is evident from the brilliant effects employed in Vecna’s gruesome appearance and mannerisms, as well as the hauntingly beautiful mirror-world of Hawkins in the Upside-Down, that serve to up the gore and lingering sense of dread throughout the show.
All in all, the first half of season four is a promising herald of what is to come in its latter half, setting up and building upon its expansive lore while giving audiences a gripping but palatable journey through its massive world.