Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers

Episode aired Jul 15, 2016
TV-14
47m

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

28K

YOUR RATING

Drama Fantasy Horror Mystery Sci-Fi Thriller

On his way home from a friend's house, young Will sees something terrifying. Nearby, a sinister secret lurks in the depths of a government labOn his way home from a friend's house, young Will sees something terrifying. Nearby, a sinister secret lurks in the depths of a government labOn his way home from a friend's house, young Will sees something terrifying. Nearby, a sinister secret lurks in the depths of a government lab

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

28K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Along with the Mirkwood reference to Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit, there is a second reference to the J.R.R. Tolkien novels. When Joyce (Winona Ryder) has a flashback to talking to Will (Noah Schnapp) in his Castle Byers hideout, she has to give him the password first. The password is Radagast, the name of one of the Wizards from Tolkien's novels.

Goofs
The flag seen on numerous flag poles underneath the US flag is the 2003 Georgia state flag. In 1983, the Georgia state flag still contained the Confederate battle flag.

Quotes
Jim Hopper: Joyce, this is Hawkins, okay? You wanna know the worst thing that's ever happened here in the four years I've been working here? Do you wanna know the worst thing? It was when an owl attacked Eleanor Gillespie's head because it thought that her hair was a nest.

Connections
Featured in The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards (2017)

Soundtracks
Can't Seem to Make You Mine
Written by Sky Saxon
Performed by The Seeds

User reviews57

Review

Featured review

8/10

Nostalgia Trip into the '80s

I'm not very quick on picking up new shows even when there is quite much hype about it. I guess I'm the kind of guy who likes to stay with his old favorites, and I'm not very persistent viewer of TV-shows (I still haven't seen farther than 6th season of my all time favorite 'The X-Files'). 'Stranger Things' was recommended to my by one of my colleagues who knew my interest in supernatural, 1980s, Stephen King and 'The X-Files'. I have to say I wasn't disappointed after watching the first two episodes and now I'm hooked.

The start is quite slow, but the characters are likeable, the atmosphere and tension are present to keep the viewer interested. The show is taking place in 1980s and it has the nice authentic feel of classic '80s horror movies (that authentic feel is something that most nostalgia driven movies fail to capture), so the shot of nostalgia is another strong reason to give 'Stranger Things' a shot. Wonderful synth score has a lot to do with adding more eeriness to the autumn forests surrounding the small town Hawkins.

Acting is great altogether, but besides Millie Bobby Brown's marvelous portrayal of Eleven, Winona Ryder's outstanding job as Joyce Byers definitely needs mentioning.

After first episode I was hooked and after second, I think, I might be an addict.