‘Stranger Things’ Season 4: When Will the Netflix Show Finally Return?
While Netflix has produced many massive hits throughout the years, none have the following that Stranger Things.
A throwback to the type of coming-of-age movies that dominated the eighties and nineties, the series is part horror, part drama, part science fiction, part Stephen King and Steven Spielberg homage, and a whole lot of fun as a result.
However, with so much uncertainty about the entertainment industry, many are curious about when the series’ fourth season is coming out.
What is ‘Stranger Things’?
Stranger Things was the Duffer Brothers’ brainchild, siblings who got their start making several short films before breaking out in mainstream Hollywood. While the pair saw some success with their first film Hidden and the short-lived series Wayward Pines, Stranger Things was a massive success.
The series takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. On its surface, it was about a supernatural appearance but quickly grew to something bigger. The young cast, featuring Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, and several other young actors who are now household names, was balanced out by industry titans like Winona Ryder.
It serves as a love letter to the 1980s but doesn’t skimp on content, either. Drawing inspiration from the pop culture of the 1980s but the political climate and Cold World backdrop, the show has a lot to say. Its willingness to take risks while remaining true to its ultimate brand has given it a loyal audience.
Why is it so popular?
The modern audience loves nostalgia. On top of the tonal inspiration from Spielberg, King, the works of John Carpenter, and several other classics from the decade it calls home, the series features an intricate plot that captivates its audience from the first episode. Taking a page from programs like Lost, Stranger Things makes every season a unique event that tells its own story while building its rich mythology.
It’s won dozens of awards as a result, from several Primetime Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe nominations, and countless other staples of the entertainment industry. The series last aired in September of 2019, and now fans hope that 2021 could be the year that the people of Hawkins finally get another tale to tell.
‘Stranger Things’ season 4: What to expect
The Duffer Brothers like to remain tight-lipped about the series. While this helps keeps things fresh when it finally premieres, it also frustrates fans who want a new season and want it now. The addition of eighties superstar Robert Englund may only add to the intrigue, too. However, a show this intricate requires some patience.
Ross Duffer spoke to Entertainment Weekly about while the last season was its own story, they’ve already planted seeds for future events.
“At the end of season two, we knew about Billy,” Ross told the magazine. “We knew that the Russians were going to come in. We didn’t know the mall and stuff, but again, we know these big broad strokes. That’s sort of where we are in season four. We have the big broad strokes. It’s just now about filling in those lines in the details. We’re pretty excited about where it’s potentially going to go. Again, like we said, it’s going to feel very different than this season. But I think that’s the right thing to do, and I think it’ll be exciting.”
Like his brother, Matt Duffer also sees the coming season as an opportunity to build on what they’ve already established.
“I think the biggest thing that’s going to happen is it’s going to open up a little bit, not necessarily in terms of scale, in terms of special effects, but open up in terms of allowing plotlines into areas outside of Hawkins,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
While the fourth season could premier this fall, no date has been set in stone. The COVID-19 complications around the world bled to the series, which is still trying to cope with a far more significant problem than any on the screen. However, whenever it comes out, it’s sure to be an audacious, grand, and unique addition to a show that’s already flooded with exciting ideas.
