Stranger Things Season 4 Review: Finally, after almost 2 years of delay, Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 got released and it is bigger than ever. And we mean bigger on every scale that is imaginable. From the plot to the runtime.
Stranger Things Season 4 will leave the Hawkins for the first time and it has its own ups and downs. The new setting outside Hawkins gave the show the freshness that was needed but it also raised many new problems.
The fact that raw nature of Stranger Things that we loved was missing because of this. And the main concern was that the makers forget to raise the stakes with the new settings. Or it never felt like the stakes were too high compared to this new location.
But, nonetheless, the first volume of season 4 is out now with seven episodes. And we have watched every episode. So, let’s take a look at the positive and negative aspects of season 4 and see if it is worth it or not.
Stranger Things Season 4 Review: Plot
The official synopsis of the show reads “After Hopper’s supposed death, Eleven has moved out of Hawkins with the Byers family thinking the upside-down is a thing of the past. But is it?”
Season 4 starts six months after the finale of season 3. Hopkins is considered dead and Eleven is trying to live her life normally now with Upside-Down a thing of the past. Everyone thinks that the problem is solved and there is nothing to worry about.
But Hawkins is once again in news because of the murders of some teens. And as we all know the best detectives are needed to solve the case. So, Dustin and Steve get to work and find the secret behind these murders.
They are joined by Nancy, Robin, Lucas, and Max. And on the other hand, Joyce gets to know that Hopper is still alive and is caught in a Russian Prison. And things once again start getting messy.
Stranger Things Season 4 Review: What worked for the show?
Dustin and Steve
Stranger Things Season 4 Review: Once again they are the star of the show. Even when the show felt sluggish and boring, these two were able to salvage it whenever they were on the screen. Their comedy timing and understanding of each other are just something else.
Both of them complimented each other perfectly and saved the show so many times when it was needed.
Cinematography
Once again the cinematography of the show reigns supreme. It was such a delight to watch the show from the perspective of how it actually looked. No matter what you say, in that aspect Stranger Things always is one step ahead of every other show.
Background Score
The Background Score of the fourth season has to be my favorite so far. It was something unique and had the same eerie vibe that was needed. There were no wasted emotions in the tracks and made you feel exactly how the makers wanted to.
You may like: Anek Review: An Inconsistent But Intense Rebellion
Crimes of the Future Release Date, Plot, Cast, and other details
Stranger Things Season 4 Review: What went wrong for the show?
Runtime
Let us get this straight. Volume 1 consists of 7 episodes and each episode is 70 minutes long with the finale being 100 minutes long. No matter what you say, it is too many minutes in a single episode. And you will feel it while watching it.
If they could have divided these 9 episodes into 16 and released 8 episodes in every volume it would have been much better. Inserting too many minutes in a single episode really kills the web series vibe and makes it feel like another movie.
And you might think that 80 percent of the show is already covered in the first volume as only two episodes will be there in the second volume. You are kind of wrong, as the makers have said that the last two episodes are longer than the movie “Free Guy” and that is a worrying point.
Screenplay
The show started off strong but as the episodes kept on passing the problems were becoming visible. There were too many forced aspects in this season. The main factor that made everyone a fan of Stranger Things was the character-driven arcs.
The talks between the characters that used to give characters a new life were completely missing. It was like they were doing so many big things that there was no time for talking. And it really killed the show for me.
Distribution of Cast
This came off as an effect of having too many things and none of them working. There were lots of things happening at the same time in the show. And for that purpose, the cast needed to be divided.
And once again, it affected the show in a very bad way. With Eleven on her own and Joyce and Murray separated and other squads back in Hawkins, it never felt like the Stranger Things we loved and adored so much.
For you: 19 Best Indian Original Series to Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
Top Gun Maverick Review: Tom Cruise With The Strongest Squad
Stranger Things Season 4 Review: Is It Worth It?
Stranger Things Season 4 Review: If you have watched the first three seasons you are going to watch this season as well. But from a neutral perspective season, 4 had more low points as compared to high points. And it comes down to obvious reasons.
When the most boring arc of the show is your main protagonists’ backstory, you know there is something wrong with the show. You can still watch it if you have watched the first three seasons because we need that closure.
But it is the right time to finish the show off with season 4 serving as the final. We hope the last episodes are better and salvage the show completely for us.
Keep reading: Love Victor (2022) Release Date, Plot, Cast, and Everything you Need to Know
