Netflix's 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Review: A Diminished Return to Hawkins
Netflix's animated series, "Stranger Things: Tales From '85," largely appeals to two distinct groups: young viewers deemed too immature for the original series' TV-14 rating and ardent fans committed to consuming every piece of content from the "Stranger Things" universe. For this latter group, critical evaluations will likely hold little sway, as their dedication ensures full engagement with the spin-off.
However, beyond these specific audiences, the series struggles to offer compelling reasons for viewership, with the character of Nikki, voiced by Odessa A'zion, standing out as a rare exception. Nikki, a new addition with a distinctive strawberry-pink mohawk and a knack for mechanical engineering, brings a refreshing sense of novelty. Her character is dynamic enough to make one wish she had been introduced into the live-action series earlier. Nevertheless, her presence alone is insufficient to elevate a show that otherwise feels like a repetitive and less engaging iteration of its predecessor.
The narrative, developed by Jennifer Muro and Eric Robles, is set in early 1985, positioning it between the second and third seasons of the main series. It finds the young protagonists—Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and El—enjoying a temporary reprieve from their Upside Down battles. This idyllic winter interlude, filled with childhood pastimes, is predictably short-lived as new otherworldly threats emerge in Hawkins. The animated format, surprisingly, doesn't inject new life into the storytelling but rather seems to mimic the earlier seasons' aesthetic, presenting a crisper, more polished visual style compared to the murky CGI of later live-action installments. Despite introducing new monster designs, these creatures often feel derivative, and interpersonal conflicts merely rehash old arguments. Even with Nikki's inventive gadgets, the core plot remains reliant on El's telekinetic powers for last-minute rescues, highlighting a persistent narrative challenge where El's overwhelming abilities often diminish genuine suspense.
The animated spin-off’s reliance on its live-action counterpart extends to its voice acting. The new cast, including Braxton Quinney as Dustin and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, often attempts to replicate the original performances, with varying degrees of success. This mimicry, however, prevents the voice actors from imbuing the characters with their own interpretations, leading to portrayals that, while sometimes reminiscent of the originals, often lack the depth and spontaneity that made the live-action characters so endearing. Nikki, as a character unburdened by established canon, is afforded the creative freedom to evolve and forge new relationships, making her the true standout. Her uniqueness underscores the missed opportunities within "Tales From '85" to innovate and diverge from the well-trodden path of its acclaimed predecessor, ultimately delivering a faithful but diluted experience.
While "Stranger Things: Tales From '85" offers a nostalgic trip back to Hawkins, it primarily serves as a reminder of the original series' creative strengths rather than carving its own distinct path. The show's commitment to maintaining continuity with its predecessor, while understandable from a brand management perspective, limits its potential for fresh storytelling and character development. Embracing original narratives and allowing its new animated identity to flourish could have transformed this spin-off into a vibrant new chapter, rather than a mere echo of what came before. True innovation, even within established universes, often requires taking bold creative risks that resonate with audiences and push the boundaries of storytelling.
