Stranger Things in its Finality

Netflix’s most iconic show is about to release its fifth and final season. Following its initial release in the summer of 2016, “Stranger Things” has since become a prominent part of Gen Z’s childhood.

This series changed the way at-home viewership was conducted. Audiences now had access to one of the most popular productions and were able to watch multiple episodes at a time. “Stranger Things” defined an era of bingeworthy television, one that has continued to flourish in this day and age.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

In paving a way for an era of at home watch parties, the final season of “Stranger Things” signals an end to one of Netflix’s most innovative creations.

The connection between viewers and this series runs years long, as the progression of the show is over nine years. The audience has watched the lead cast grow up, and for Gen Z, many have grown alongside them.

Each season opened a new chapter of the characters’ lives and signaled a new era for the actors as well. The audience witnessed monumental moments of the actors’ lives, as the majority of the cast experienced their breakout roles within the series.

The finality of the series is signaled in the definitive state of many of the actors’ lives. The lead, Millie Bobby Brown, has since become married and a mother after starting the show at 12 years old. Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, continues to flourish in the music industry after releasing his solo album.

For the show’s Gen Z audience, there is a major connection. What began in the childhood of Gen Z viewers is now ending with the first few years of adulthood many are experiencing. This show shaped the early lives of its audience, and is signaling an end to the last bits of childhood many viewers may have otherwise been holding on to.

A Glimpse into Nostalgia

“Stranger Things” gave young viewers a glimpse into the past and into a reality that many of their parents lived in, minus the upside-down, of course. This show has served as a connector between generations, giving Gen Z a look into the lives of Gen X.

In building the generational gaps between these groups, “Stranger Things” also created a community across age differences. It became a series where anyone could find familiarity and comfort.

From the high rise shorts to the neon windbreakers, the wardrobe alone served as a time capsule and a glance to a distant reality.

Did you start watching “Stranger Things” when it was first released? Tag @VALLEYmag on X and let us know your thoughts!

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