Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a popular Netflix science fiction horror drama series, largely set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, during the 1980s. The show centers on a group of young friends and their families as they confront supernatural mysteries and dangerous entities that emerge from a parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. Blending elements of suspense, adventure, and coming-of-age drama, the series is known for its nostalgic atmosphere, character-driven storytelling, and escalating supernatural threats. It has garnered a broad audience, appealing to both those who grew up in the 80s and contemporary viewers, by exploring themes of friendship, courage, and identity amidst extraordinary circumstances. While praised for its compelling narrative and performances, the content of "Stranger Things" is generally considered appropriate for older teenage audiences due to its mature themes. The show contains significant violence, frightening horror elements, and instances of strong language, which intensify across its seasons. Parents should be aware of these aspects when considering the series for younger viewers, as later installments become progressively darker and more graphic.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series features explicit LGBTQ+ representation, notably through the character Robin Buckley, who is an openly lesbian character introduced in Season 3. Additionally, Will Byers's sexuality, specifically his being gay and having unrequited feelings for Mike, is heavily implied throughout the series and later confirmed by the actor, becoming a significant part of his character's arc in Season 4 and 5. The show depicts scenes of same-sex affection.
In Season 3, Robin Buckley comes out as a lesbian to Steve Harrington during a conversation in a bathroom stall, sharing details about her romantic feelings for a girl. In Season 4, Will Byers expresses his struggles with self-acceptance and his implied feelings for Mike, with actor Noah Schnapp later confirming Will is gay and loves Mike. In Season 5, episode 1, Will observes Robin kissing her girlfriend Vickie, which visibly impacts him as he reflects on his own desires.
Violence
HighStranger Things is characterized by intense and escalating violence, gore, and disturbing imagery, which becomes more pronounced in later seasons. The show features graphic depictions of otherworldly monsters attacking and killing people, often resulting in bloody injuries, dismemberment, and grotesque body transformations. Child and teenage characters are frequently placed in extreme peril.
In Season 4, characters such as Fred Benson and Chrissy Cunningham are gruesomely killed by Vecna, with their deaths involving broken bones, gouged eyes, and disturbing physical contortions. Throughout the series, the Demogorgon and other Upside Down creatures brutally attack and kill characters, often with visible blood and gore, such as the Demogorgon feeding on a deer or tearing apart human victims.
Profanity
HighStranger Things contains moderate to strong profanity, with frequent use of various curse words and occasional stronger language, including the 'f-word' in later seasons. Both adult and child characters use expletives. The frequent use of 'Jesus Christ' as an expletive is also noted as a concern by some religious viewers, contributing to the show's overall high language severity.
The series features frequent use of words like 'sh*t,' 'a**,' 'd*ck,' and 'b*tch' by characters across all age groups throughout its run. Stronger profanity, including instances of the 'f**k' word, is present in later seasons, and the phrase 'Jesus Christ' is used multiple times in an exclamatory or disrespectful context.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe central premise of Stranger Things revolves around powerful supernatural phenomena originating from a parallel dimension, the Upside Down. This includes psychic powers demonstrated by Eleven, interdimensional monsters, and a dark, malevolent realm influencing the natural world. While often framed as 'super-science' or 'sci-fi fantasy,' these elements are inherently beyond natural understanding and involve entities that could be perceived as demonic or occult-like, impacting characters through possession and other dark abilities.
Eleven's telekinetic and telepathic powers are a fundamental plot device, allowing her to manipulate objects, access other dimensions, and engage in psychic combat with entities from the Upside Down, stemming from scientific experiments. The Upside Down is a dark, alternate dimension inhabited by terrifying, sentient creatures such as the Demogorgon, Mind Flayer, and Vecna, who possess human victims and unleash grotesque abilities upon Hawkins.
Scary & Intense Content
HighStranger Things is a sci-fi horror series that consistently delivers frightening and intense content. This includes numerous jump scares, disturbing creature designs, suspenseful sequences, and graphic depictions of violence and death, particularly from otherworldly monsters. The horror elements, including psychological torment and body horror, significantly escalate with each season, reaching peak intensity with characters like Vecna.
The Upside Down creatures, such as the Demogorgon, Mind Flayer, and Vecna, are consistently portrayed as terrifying, grotesque, and actively hunt characters, leading to frequent jump scares and highly intense chase scenes. In Season 4, Vecna's method of killing his victims, which involves mentally torturing them and then graphically contorting their bodies to break bones and gouge eyes, is profoundly disturbing and explicit.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe series includes romantic relationships among its teen characters, featuring frequent kissing and implied sexual activity without explicit nudity. While not graphically detailed, some scenes depict romantic intimacy and there are occasional suggestive remarks. The content remains within the boundaries of a TV-14 rating but portrays adolescent romantic and sexual exploration.
In Season 1, Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington are shown in a bedroom scene engaging in implied sexual activity, without explicit nudity but clearly conveying the act. Throughout the seasons, various teen couples, including Mike and Eleven, and Lucas and Max, are frequently shown kissing and engaging in romantic gestures.
Substance Use
MediumThe show includes depictions of substance use, primarily involving adult characters occasionally consuming alcohol or smoking cigarettes. While not glorified, these instances are present. Some implied underage alcohol use occurs among older teen characters, but explicit or heavy drug use is generally not a central focus of the storyline.
Adult characters such as Jim Hopper and Joyce Byers are regularly shown drinking alcohol, often beer, and smoking cigarettes throughout the series. In later seasons, there are implied situations of older teen characters at parties where alcohol is present, though active underage drinking is usually not explicitly detailed or a primary plot point.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe series frequently portrays adolescent characters displaying disrespect and rebellious behavior towards parents, teachers, and other authority figures. This includes talking back, disobeying rules, sneaking out of homes, and making sarcastic remarks. This behavior is often presented in the context of the children needing to take matters into their own hands to combat the supernatural threats.
Characters like Dustin Henderson and Lucas Sinclair frequently engage in backtalk and sarcastic exchanges with their parents and other adults. The core group of friends regularly disobeys their parents' rules, sneaking out of their homes late at night to investigate supernatural occurrences or confront threats. The protagonists, including Eleven, often defy government agents and adult warnings, choosing to act independently to protect their town from the Upside Down.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile the series does not feature overt anti-Christian plotlines or direct attacks on Christian beliefs, it does include elements that some Christian viewers may find concerning. The show's supernatural elements are framed scientifically and as interdimensional phenomena rather than traditional spiritual warfare, which may clash with some religious worldviews. Additionally, the frequent use of "Jesus Christ" as an expletive by characters is noted as disrespectful or blasphemous.
The frequent use of the phrase "Jesus Christ" as an expletive by various characters is highlighted as an instance of blasphemous language that can be disrespectful in a Christian context. The show's core mythology, particularly the Upside Down and its entities like Vecna, are presented as products of scientific experimentation and interdimensional breaches rather than traditional demonic forces, which may be a point of theological concern for viewers with specific Christian frameworks regarding spiritual evil.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
14+ with strong parental guidance. The series is officially rated TV-14, indicating that it may not be suitable for children under 14. This recommendation is due to the escalating intensity of its violence, graphic gore, pervasive scary and disturbing imagery, frequent strong language, and the inclusion of mature themes such as LGBTQ+ representation and substance use. Later seasons, particularly Season 4 and the anticipated Season 5, are noted for becoming significantly darker and more gruesome, warranting caution for even older teens.
Additional Notes
The content intensity of "Stranger Things" generally escalates with each successive season. Parents should be aware that later seasons introduce more graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and mature themes, potentially making them less suitable for younger viewers who might have handled earlier seasons. The shift in tone towards more explicit horror, especially in Season 4 and the anticipated Season 5, is significant.
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