After the success of Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and Fuller House, Netflix introduced one of its newest and greatest original series, Stranger Things. This eight-episode science-fiction TV show features award-winning actress Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, who is living in a small town in Indiana during the 1980’s. The TV show uses the world of science-fiction and wormhole time travel to captivate  audiences.

When a 12-year-old boy named Will goes missing, his mother, the only police chief in town, as well as his friends take matters into their own hands and begin an investigation to find her son– with frightening results.  They uncover unexpected answers to Will’s disappearance that include secret government experiments, supernatural creatures, and a strange and mysterious little girl who calls herself Eleven.

When the show took off in the middle of July and the media began raving about it only a few days later, I knew that I had to watch it. I have to admit that I found the first half of the season very slow and methodical in how it introduced the characters, once things really took off, I found my eyes glued to the screen episode after episode. While I didn’t expect exceptional acting from the child actors, I was quickly proven wrong. Actors Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarzzo, and Finn Wolfhard, who play Will’s three friends,  do an amazing job portraying their characters. (Don’t miss the mysterious, waffle-loving Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown.)  Hate them or love them, the characters are phenomenal.

For me, the show’s setting in the 80’s–older cars, older cameras, diners, and 80’s-style clothing and hairstyles– is one of its best features. It reminds me of another TV show based on older times, 11.22.63, which is set in the time period when JFK is assassinated.

Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s best shows for 2016, and perhaps one of its best overall. I would recommend this show to anyone who likes science-fiction or supernatural movies or just those who enjoy shows that keep them on the edge of their seats.

The show was recently renewed for a second season which will include nine episodes. I’m very excited to see it, but the only downfall is that with Netflix Originals, viewers have to wait a whole year for the next season. I for one, will be eagerly waiting for season two of Stranger Things to begin.