It feels like it's been forever since the second season of Stranger Things ended (seriously, I need a recap at this point), but I'm no less intrigued to revisit this wild retro world with all its upside-down oddities and colorful cast of characters. The show has made a bonafide star out out of many of these kids (and a few adults), with Millie Bobby Brown now a household name and pushed David Harbour out of the standard character actor what's-his-name category, while reminding us how fun and nuerotic Winona Ryder can be. All said, despite some inconsistencies, lagging storylines and sometimes perplexing mythology, Stranger Things remains a cultural phenomenon that, if nothing else, is an easy pill to swallow when it comes to satisfying entertainment.
Hopefully season 3 will push some boundaries and take us into some new territory, but if not, I'm just happy for a pleasant revisit to this nostalgic romp. This final trailer looks promising and teases a bigger threat that's hopefully more than just a giant demi-whatever. Putting a face and personality to the evil of the upside down would make for a compelling twist and give us a villain we can truly hate for once, rather than another spooky creature with claws and teeth that slobbers more than sparks fear.
Stranger Things 3 hits Netflix on July 4th.