thetechxp is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Stranger Things season 4 review roundup — darker, scarier and a must-watch

Advertisements

Season 4 of Stranger Things introduces a new twist on the formula.

Stranger Things season 4 review roundup — darker, scarier and a must-watch
(Image credit: Netflix)

Season 4 of Stranger Things will premiere on Netflix in the next few days. Get ready for a trip down memory lane on May 27th, but be aware that there will be some changes.

Netflix’s hit original series, Stranger Things, had its fourth season premiered in July 2016 to rave reviews from critics who were given early access to the show. While Stranger Things, which follows a group of kids, some late teens, and a few high schoolers as they explore a sleepy U.S. city at the centre of an interdimensional portal/hole, has evolved over its previous three seasons, so has time itself. As a result, it was inevitable that the series would undergo some changes,

Advertisements

Season 4 appears to be the most noticeable in this regard based on the early reactions. To begin, there is a three-pronged narrative at play. Byers family in California with the now-powerless Eleven; Hawkins crew of now-older high schoolers involved once again in some mysterious goings on; and Hawkins chief of police Jim Hopper, who is not dead but is held in a Russian jail.

TechRadar’s colleagues noted that this “multi-narrative approach is slightly hit and miss, but the “hugely ambitious gamble” largely pays off when it comes to the story, as well. Both TechRadar and IGN have highlighted how some of the action sequences can be almost jarring against some of the chilling supernatural horror moments because of the game’s split storylines. In spite of this, well-chosen dialogue and character moments make this seem less important.

According to Inverse, Season 4 is “remarkably plotted and well-paced,” with “everything having matured in both abstract and literal ways,”

Advertisements

Is season 4 of Stranger Things the same as season 3?

When it comes to character development in season 4, Polygon’s Petrana Radulovic isn’t satisfied with the results.

In spite of the increasing brutality and severity of the Upside Down threat, Radulovic observed that the bonds between the characters had not deepened as a result of their shared experiences. According to her, “it’s more or less the same thing over and over again” in each episode despite the fact that “a lot happens.” Radulovic, on the other hand, was a fan of the gory details.

The Hollywood Reporter was a little more critical of Stranger Things Season 4, noting that some storylines were dragging and that the Hawkings gang seemed destined to do the same things they had done before.

Advertisements

However, Stranger Things season 4 was praised by writer Daniel Fienberg for attempting to change the show’s format.

Is season 4 of Stranger Things the right split?

Gizmodo isn’t a fan of the split-season approach, to continue the format discussion.

The first seven episodes of Season 4 will be released on May 27. The final two episodes, which will be released on July 1, will be lengthy. According to Linda Codega, the “drop-in streaming format” will be ruined.

Advertisements

Having more of a good thing is always a good thing. It’s possible that Netflix is trying to keep subscribers engaged, given that it’s seen a significant drop in new subscribers in recent months. In addition, Stranger Things has been a costly production, so the steamer will be eager to keep viewers glued to the latest season as long as possible.

With a 4 out of 5 star rating, The Telegraph notes that Stranger Things season 4 is very long, with several episodes clocking in at 75 minutes or more; episode seven clocks in at a gruelling 1 hour and 38 minutes. This is a “1908s Americana sci-fi is irresistible,” according to reviewer Chris Bennion.

Season 4 of Stranger Things has a lot of horror in it.

Though this season appears to be less suitable for children, most reviewers have praised the more horror-centric aspects of season 4.

Advertisements

Stranger Things season 4 “amps up the terror,” according to Comicbook’s Patrick Cavanaugh, which appears to have worked in the show’s favour. However, the show’s heavy focus on horror can turn off viewers who were hoping for a more comedic tone.

The new Hawkins beast — which Dustin accurately calls out as a Freddy Krueger facsimile — feels more tactile and viscerally frightening as he preys on teen trauma, according to Variety’s review.

Season 4 of Stranger Things on Netflix appears to be a triumphant return for the sci-fi series. In addition, even if I haven’t seen it yet, I’m interested in seeing how the formula is changed; I loved Stranger Things for the most part, but I had the sense that it needed more development in order to keep my interest.

Advertisements

Season 4 of Stranger Things is expected to be a must-see for many, and could be a much-needed pick-me-up for the show. This summer, Netflix must avoid losing any more subscribers.

Leave a Comment